The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that it will send a delegation to monitor the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Ohanaeze, in a communiqué Sunday after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, said its National Legal Adviser would lead the delegation comprising eminent Igbo leaders.
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The communiqué was signed by Ohanaeze’s spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia.
Ohanaeze said it identified with grievances of Igbo youths on the marginalisation and menace of herdsmen, among others in the region.
It appealed to the Igbo youths to be law-abiding and allow their leaders and stakeholders to address their grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations.
The communique reads: “That Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has observed with keen interest the recent re-arraignment and consequent trial of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“That, in as much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not averse to his trial, we however submit that he should be tried within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices”.
The communiqué also disclosed that Ohanaeze strongly supports the stand taken by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed 5% share of the Petroleum Industries Bill for the host communities.
“That we identify with the Igbo youths in their grievances with respect to Igbo marginalisation, the menace of the Fulani herdsmen, etc. However, we do not support the use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.”
