Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, former Attorney General of Imo State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the Supreme Court ruling that upheld charges against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and to release him.
In a letter dated February 24, 2025, Ume, who also sent copies to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, highlighted the adverse impact Kanu’s continued detention has had on security in the Southeast and across the country.
Ume noted that the ongoing detention has fueled insecurity and exacerbated tensions, notably contributing to the infamous Owerri correctional facility jailbreak.
He stressed that this event, alongside the broader security situation, has transformed the Southeast into an unstable zone of violence. The region has faced a surge in unrest, affecting both businesses and daily life, and creating widespread uncertainty.
Addressing the “Sit-At-Home” phenomenon, Ume clarified that Kanu had never endorsed the order that had sparked fears during the 2023 General Election, even publicly disowning it through his legal counsel.
Ume believes that Kanu’s release would significantly help in curbing the anarchy in the region, allowing the government to focus on other pressing matters.
He also pointed to similar cases in the South West and Niger Delta, where political discretion had been applied to ease tensions, urging that Kanu be granted similar consideration in the interest of justice and national harmony.
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