Aloy Ejimakor, who serves as Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant leader, of undermining the amnesty granted to him by late President Musa Yar’Adua.
Ejimakor’s response comes in light of Dokubo’s recent statement, in which he urged President Bola Tinubu not to release Kanu. Dokubo argued that releasing Kanu would escalate insecurity in the Southeast, suggesting that it would be rewarding criminal behavior.
Disagreeing with Dokubo’s viewpoint, Ejimakor emphasized that Kanu is not a criminal. He clarified that the actions that led to Kanu’s arrest, detention, and trial are based on the concept of self-determination, which a competent Nigerian court has recognized as legal rather than criminal. Ejimakor pointed out that Dokubo himself had previously advocated for self-determination by calling for the creation of the Niger Delta Republic, which resulted in his own extended imprisonment.
Ejimakor further asserted that Dokubo’s call for President Tinubu to withhold Kanu’s release inadvertently undermines the amnesty that was graciously granted to Dokubo by late President Yar’Adua and subsequently affirmed and honored by former Presidents Jonathan and Buhari. However, President Tinubu has yet to affirm and honor that amnesty.
Ejimakor concluded by reminding Dokubo that the case of Nnamdi Kanu is currently before various Nigerian courts, as well as courts in Kenya, Britain, and two international tribunals. Multiple legal teams are diligently working to address the injustice inflicted upon Kanu and the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Ejimakor emphasized that ending Kanu’s extrajudicial detention can be achieved through a sound political decision by the President, as Kanu has not committed any crimes. Alternatively, his release can also be accomplished by faithfully implementing any of the victories he has attained in Nigerian courts and the international community.
