IPOB leader freedom

By Chibuike Nwabuko

Abuja (Precise Post) – Tensions flared in the Nigerian capital today when a peaceful protest demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was met with a violent police crackdown.

The Presidential candidate of the Action Congress in the 2023 general election and the convener of the protest, Omoyele Sowore who disclosed this on his X handle on Monday, said among those arrested were Kanu’s brother, as well as his legal counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.

Sowore said that the protesters, who gathered in Abuja carrying placards and chanting “#FreeNnamdiKanuNow,” were swiftly descended upon by officers from the Nigerian Police Force. What was intended as a non-violent demonstration quickly turned chaotic, as police reportedly beat several demonstrators, including uninvolved bystanders.

“This was a peaceful protest,” said Sowore. “No one was armed. Yet the police responded with violence and arbitrary arrests.”

Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, known for his legal advocacy on Kanu’s behalf, was reportedly manhandled and taken alongside Kanu’s brother to the FCT Police Command. Videos and images from the scene circulating on social media show a heavy-handed response, drawing outrage from human rights groups and legal observers.

Sowore is calling for the immediate release of those arrested.

Precise Post recalls that this actions further erode Nigeria’s democratic space and violate constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and legal representation.

As of press time, no official statement has been released by the Nigerian Police, and calls to the FCT command have gone unanswered.

The incident adds another layer of controversy to the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, whose continued incarceration has become a flashpoint for civil unrest in the region.

#FreeNnamdiKanuNow continues to trend on social media as supporters demand justice, accountability, and the immediate release of all those detained.

Subject: Clarification on the Role of the NMA in Declaring a Patient Fit for Trial — The Case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu

From:
Dr. Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo
ENT/Head & Neck Surgeon
FWACS, FMC-ORL

To:
Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu
National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
National Secretariat, Abuja

Dear Prof. Audu,

I write to you as a concerned and committed member of our great Association, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). Recent reports in the national media have attributed to the NMA the declaration that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, currently standing trial in Abuja, has been found fit to stand trial and that his illness is not life-threatening.

While it is understandable that the courts may, from time to time, request professional medical input in cases where an accused person’s fitness to stand trial is in question, I must respectfully request clarification from the National Secretariat on what constitutional or statutory basis the NMA as a corporate body performs such a function.

To the best of my knowledge, and according to the NMA Constitution and By-Laws available to members, our Association’s functions are primarily professional, ethical, and advocacy-based. Nowhere, as far as I can ascertain, is there any provision empowering the Association itself as opposed to independent medical experts or panels appointed by the court to declare a defendant fit or unfit to stand trial.

Traditionally, and in line with standard medico-legal practice, the process has always been as follows:
1.When a person’s fitness to stand trial is in question, the court appoints qualified medical experts, often forensic psychiatrists or a multidisciplinary medical board, to assess the individual’s physical and mental condition.
2.The panel reports to the court, which then makes the legal determination of fitness to stand trial.
3.The NMA, as a professional body, does not issue such declarations in its institutional capacity unless the Association is merely acting as an administrative conduit to nominate experts — in which case, it should be clearly stated that the declaration emanates from individual medical practitioners and not the NMA itself.

Given this distinction, I, along with many colleagues, seek your kind clarification on the following points:
•Under what article or section of the NMA Constitution or By-Laws does the Association have the authority to constitute or endorse a medical panel for determining a person’s fitness to stand trial?
•Was the panel that examined Mr. Nnamdi Kanu constituted as a court-appointed body through the NMA, or was it presented publicly as an NMA-declared verdict?
•If the latter, how does this align with the professional and ethical boundaries of our Association as defined by its constitution?

Sir, as you would agree, clarity on this matter is necessary not only to uphold the integrity and independence of our profession but also to ensure that the public correctly understands the role of the NMA in sensitive medico-legal proceedings.

I therefore humbly urge the National Secretariat to issue an official clarification, citing the specific constitutional or statutory framework that underpinned the Association’s involvement in this particular case.

Thank you for your kind attention and continued leadership of our Association. I trust that your office will provide the needed transparency to reassure members and the public alike.

With professional regards,

Abuja, Nigeria – Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has raised fresh hopes over the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, October 3, shortly after a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Governor Otti assured that Kanu may soon regain his freedom.

“I can assure you that I am in talks with Mr. President. He is positively inclined towards it, and I believe that very soon, Nnamdi Kanu will be a free man again,” Otti said.

The governor stressed that his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu gives him confidence in the president’s commitment.
“Mr. President and I have known each other for decades. Whatever he decides, he communicates it directly. Having given his word, I believe he will honor it,” he added.

Tinubu’s Message of Peace Through Umahi

President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, called on citizens of the Southeast to remain peaceful and law-abiding as political efforts continue to resolve Kanu’s case.

“I urge our brothers and sisters in the Southeast to mobilize and stay united. The president has heard your voices, and he is engaging with leaders from the region, including governors, senators, and ministers, to achieve a political solution,” Umahi noted.

He reassured that President Tinubu has brought the Southeast into the center of national issues and urged residents to reciprocate with peace and respect for the law.

Background on Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention

Nnamdi Kanu has been held in DSS custody since June 2021, following his controversial extradition from Kenya. He faces terrorism-related charges and has repeatedly sought medical treatment outside detention, but his requests have been denied by the courts.

Despite growing concerns about his health, his legal team continues to push for his release, while Southeast leaders and traditional rulers have consistently called for a political solution.

Renewed Hopes for Political Resolution

Governor Otti’s assurance, combined with President Tinubu’s signals of willingness, has reignited optimism that a breakthrough may soon be achieved in the long-running case.

Earlier, the federal government opposed Kanu’s transfer to the National Hospital in Abuja, citing doubts over medical reports provided by his private doctors as well as security concerns.

Still, the latest assurances from the Abia governor may mark a turning point in the renewed push for peace and reconciliation in the region.