The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has said he would seek negotiation with the Federal Government over his ongoing trial.
Kanu, who spoke through his lead counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that he would seek the negotiation under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
The Act states: “In any proceeding in the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof.”
Ejimakor had earlier moved two applications brought before the court. The first application is to move Form 49 and an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court.
Kanu’s lawyer mentioned that if the applications are denied, his client will move for the implementation of Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
Responding, Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, told the court that he had earlier informed the defendant that he does not have the power to negotiate on behalf of the federal government.
He noted that the defendant should approach the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagnei (SAN), who has the power to negotiate on behalf of the government.
Responding to the development, the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, stated that the court was not a solicitor but to only hear cases.
Kanu has been detained in DSS custody since June 2021, after he was arrested in Kenya. Since his arrest, he has been facing terrorism-related charges levelled against him by the government.
