The Abia State House of Assembly has formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu, requesting the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The request came after the House adopted a resolution on November 10, insisting that Kanu’s prolonged detention has become an issue requiring swift national attention.
In a related development, Kanu has instituted a ₦50 billion lawsuit against the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), accusing it of submitting an inaccurate medical report in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The resolution of the Abia Assembly—initiated by Deputy Speaker Austin Meregini (Umuahia East)—urged Tinubu to apply Section 174(c) of the Constitution, which authorises the Attorney-General of the Federation to file a nolle prosequi to discontinue criminal proceedings before judgment is delivered.
The lawmakers also referenced Tinubu’s recent presidential pardon granted to other individuals as evidence of compassionate leadership. In their open letter, the 24-member House outlined Kanu’s detention timeline, recalling that he was initially arrested in 2015 and held for more than two years before securing bail.
The lawmakers noted that Kanu fled the country after a military operation at his home, which reportedly resulted in fatalities. They added that his 2021 transfer from Kenya to Nigeria amounted to rights violations and contravened international protocols.
The letter urged the President to consider granting Kanu freedom as a step toward easing tensions and promoting stability and unity in the South-East.
The Assembly described the request as a strategic political gesture aligned with Tinubu’s broader objective of fostering national cohesion. The letter was endorsed by all 24 legislators, including the Speaker.
Kanu, in his new suit filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, is also seeking an order mandating the NMA to conduct a fresh and independent medical examination on him by specialists unconnected to the defendants in the matter.
The IPOB leader listed as defendants the NMA, its president Bala Audi, and members of the team that prepared the medical assessment—medical doctors Benjamin Egbon, Prof Emem Abraham, Ajibare Adeola, Temitope Farombi, Sunday Owolade, Mustapha Salihu, Yarima Yusuf, Nwosu Ekeoma and Benjamin Olowojebutu.
The suit, marked CV/4584/25 and filed on November 12 by his lawyer Maxwell Opara, was made public on Saturday. The disputed medical report, central to the case, had led Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court to rule last month that Kanu was healthy enough to continue with his trial.
Kanu is being prosecuted on terrorism charges over his secessionist campaign advocating for an independent Biafra covering the South-East and parts of neighbouring states. He has remained in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) since June 2021.
The federal government alleges he orchestrated terror-linked activities, issued threatening broadcasts and incited violence in the region in pursuit of a separatist agenda.
