Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, on Friday revealed why the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government cannot free the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
While giving reasons why Kanu cannot be freed, the Attorney general of the federation described the allegations against him as a serious one, adding that only the court would determine his fate.
Fagbemi also noted that the FG cannot do anything on Kanu’s case since it is already pending in court, so, the law should be allowed to run its course.
The Minister of Justice also stressed that Kanu’s detention was in accordance with the constitution, saying, “the matter is still in court, let’s wait for the court.”
He further clarified that Kanu’s case was not in any way the same as the charge that was entered against the convener of the RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, which his office withdrew.
“Sowore and Kanu are not the same. When it comes to the first one, I did not have difficulty to say, go. But, I have difficulty with the second one,” he clarified.
News About Nigeria recalls that, although both Kanu and Sowore were arrested and placed on trial by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Sowore has since been freed while Kanu is still in detention.
Kanu was charged with treasonable felony, while Sowore was among other things, accused of attempting to overthrow the Buhari-led government through unconstitutional means.
However, upon assuming office as the AGF, Fagbemi, SAN, wrote to the Federal High Court in Abuja to terminate further hearings on the charge against Sowore.
On the other hand, the AGF mandated a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, to take over the prosecution of the embattled IPOB leader who is facing a seven-count charge levied against him by the Federal government.
