Politics
Ejimakor Says Only Tinubu Can End Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial
ABUJA, Nigeria — Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has said that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the constitutional authority to end his client’s prolonged trial.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Ejimakor made the statement on Sunday while addressing reporters and through posts on social media. He cited Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) the power to discontinue any criminal case, saying that power ultimately lies with the President.
“The President, through the Attorney General, can stop any criminal trial. Therefore, President Tinubu has the power to end the ongoing case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Ejimakor said.
Kanu has been in detention since 2021 after he was extradited from Kenya to face charges including treasonable felony and terrorism. The Federal Government accused him of leading a separatist movement that seeks to establish an independent state of Biafra in Nigeria’s southeast. Kanu and his legal team have maintained that his extradition was illegal and that his continued detention violates court orders.
Ejimakor argued that the President cannot shift responsibility for the prolonged trial to the judiciary. He said previous court decisions had ordered Kanu’s release, but those rulings had not been implemented by the executive arm of government.
“It is not the court that is holding Nnamdi Kanu. It is the President. The judiciary has done its part. The executive must now act,” Ejimakor said.
The lawyer’s comments came amid renewed calls from human rights groups and southeastern leaders for the government to release Kanu in the interest of peace and national unity. They argue that continued detention of the IPOB leader has fueled unrest and mistrust in the region.
Ejimakor said that if the Federal Government is unwilling to discontinue the case, it should transfer Kanu’s trial to a court in the southeast, where most of the alleged offenses occurred. He added that Kanu’s bail should be restored as ordered by previous court rulings.
“The fair thing to do is either to move the case to a federal high court in the southeast or to discontinue it entirely. Anything short of that is an abuse of process,” he said.
The Federal Government has not responded directly to Ejimakor’s latest remarks. However, government lawyers have previously insisted that the charges against Kanu are serious and that the case must proceed in accordance with the law.
In December 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed Kanu’s appeal challenging his continued detention but urged the Federal Government to ensure his rights are protected during trial. Despite the ruling, hearings have been repeatedly adjourned, and Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
Kanu’s next court appearance is expected later this year, but Ejimakor said the case should not continue indefinitely. “This matter has dragged on for too long. The Constitution gives the President the power to act, and Nigerians are watching to see what he will do,” he said.
Observers say Ejimakor’s statement places renewed pressure on President Tinubu to intervene in a case that has drawn international attention. While some Nigerians see executive action as a path to reconciliation, others warn that political interference in an ongoing trial could set a troubling precedent.
As the debate continues, the fate of Nnamdi Kanu remains uncertain. His supporters hope the President will act to end what they call an unjust detention, while government officials insist that the legal process must take its full course.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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