Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, before he leaves office on May 29.

The governor also urged President Buhari to release Kanu to him personally, adding that he could vouch that the IPOB leader would be presented in court when needed.

Soludo made the appeal in a letter dated April 20, 2023, titled ‘Passionate Appeal For The Urgent Release Of Mazi’ and copied to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The Anambra governor stated that if releasing Kanu unconditionally is untenable, he should be granted administrative bail on compassionate grounds.

Commending the Buhari government for granting amnesty to ‘repentant’ Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, Soludo said it was time to extend the same grace to Kanu.

He wrote, “In the light of the foregoing, it is my earnest prayer that Mr. President may kindly consider the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as demanded by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Federal High Court.

“This will be the right thing to do as a country that should extol the principles of the rule of law and be in compliance with the international law and conventions that Nigeria is a signatory to.

“Alternatively, if there are persisting grounds that make his unconditional release untenable, Mr. President may consider granting him administrative bail on compassionate grounds and as part of the national healing process/creating a conducive atmosphere for a political solution.

“In this circumstance, I am prepared to take him on bail. My government is prepared to provide him with an alternative secured accommodation at Awka where he will have access to appropriate medical care, among others, and make him available when required. This will help to douse tensions in the South East and pave the way for constructive discussions towards progress.

“We commend your efforts in the North East, especially in granting amnesty and rehabilitation for repentant Boko Haram operatives. The South East beckons and I am confident that you can still do something historic within the remaining days of your tenure.

“Mr President, I am available for a meeting (if need be) at your earliest convenience to discuss any or all of the prayers above. God has been merciful to you over your entire life, especially during the past eight years.

“As you shepherd a transition process to hand over to your successor, you might as well help to smoothen his easy take-off by resolving some of the lingering issues such as Mazi Kanu’s detention. I therefore respectfully call on you, as a statesman to discharge a historic show of mercy and release Nnamdi Kanu before you hand over on the 29th May 2023.”

Governor Soludo said Kanu’s incarceration has worsened insecurity in the South East, stressing that his release will calm the security situation in the region.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stressed that the IPOB leader had got two favourable court judgments ordering his release, but was not obeyed.

He said, “However, up to this moment and going on to nearly two years, the trial has stalled and lingered in the courts with no end in sight.

“Without meaning to delve into the merits of his case, it is pertinent to point out that Mazi Kanu has gotten TWO rulings in the court ordering his release from detention. It is also my understanding that the Federal Government has secured a stay of execution of ONE of these rulings and is also appealing the same.

“One of the court rulings for his release remains unchallenged and/or subsisting. In July 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council had issued an opinion calling on the Federal Government to release him unconditionally.

“In the meantime, the continued detention of Mazi Kanu has created what, for want of a better description, can be seen as systemic insecurity in the South East. Some supporters of Mazi Kanu have imposed the obnoxious and harmful “Sit-at-Home” order every Monday in the South East while all manner of criminal gangs (kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers, etc) now masquerade as “freedom fighters” or those fighting for the release of Mazi Kanu.

“The human toll in terms of lost lives and socio-economic hardship as well as challenges to our security personnel are matters for another day. Since my assumption of office as Governor of Anambra, we have been fighting these criminals head-on, in partnership with the security agencies.

“While we have achieved significant successes in Anambra, some businesses remain closed and movement remains limited on Mondays out of fear and anxiety. It is our belief that a lot still needs to be done and paradoxically. Mazi Kanu might end up as a part of the lasting solution.”

I’ve helped Nigeria to recover over $1bn ― Malami

The House of Representatives on Thursday expressed its readiness to share some of the classified information relating to the alleged 48 million barrels of Bonny Light crude worth $2.4 billion illegally sold in China in 2015 with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Chairman, ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged stolen crude oil, Hon. Mark Gbillah gave the assurance in Abuja, during the resumed investigative hearing, disagreed with the submission of the AGF that there was no justifiable ground in the first place for the National Assembly to have embarked on probing the allegations of the 48 million barrels of crude illegally sold in China.

When asked whether a presidential committee was set up to look into the allegations, Malami said there were no justifiable grounds and details to embark on any investigation in the first place.

“By way of summary reaction, if I may refresh your memories, distinguished Honourable members, my response when a similar question was asked in the earlier session was simple; and it is to the effect that there was no reasonable ground for suspicion justifying the invocation of the oversight functions of the National Assembly as far as this matter is concerned.

“My basis for such a conclusion was the fact that the basic consideration that could have laid the foundation for either investigation or formation of a committee by the executive or oversight by the National Assembly was not there.

“One, there was an allegation of stolen crude; the fact in respect to that allegation with particular reference to the specifications of the oil, its origin, the vessels if any, that have taken it out of the country; which country and associated details in respect of the transactions were not there.

“And indeed if any product, have they been impounded or confiscated, or forfeited in China? Which agency it is in China that has indeed impounded or confiscated the product?

“Those details were not there. So, the idea of embarking on an investigation or formation of a committee by the executive or oversight functions by the National Assembly does not even arise because even if you are to go to China, where, are customs, immigration, or anti-corruption agencies that you are approaching for the purpose of information, no such details.

“If you are talking of the products, of which origin? All these details are not there so, if you are blowing a whistle, you should go further by way of giving adequate details, and adequate information on what you are blowing; you can’t blow for nothing. You have to blow on the basis of facts, circumstances, date and time. All those information are not there.

“Arriving from that conclusion, there is no foundation or reasonable ground for the formation of a committee because necessary details that could now provoke the consideration of the committee are not there,” the Minister stressed.

Unsatisfied by the Minister’s response, Gbillah who maintained that there were justifiable grounds for the investigation, disclosed that the ad-hoc committee has documents and communication that relate to the matter under probe.

“Contrary to your assertion, Sir, what you have said is incorrect because before this honourable House embarked upon this investigation, we had documents.

“That’s why we carry out the investigation of allegations. We are not confirming there is an infraction done. That is why the House took its time before commencing this investigation.

“Contrary to what you have said, the House and the Committee is in possession of documents indicating storage of certain products; documents showing approval of lifting of a certain quantity of crude outside the country documents on storage of certain crude in some locations in China.

“There are documents showing e-mail exchanges between some top members of the government which were corroborated with regards to these transactions including the DSS.

“And I’m surprised your Office is not aware of this. The DSS made the exchange of correspondences with these individuals and we are in possession of those documents.

“It’s confidential documents that have been made available to the committee, so contrary to your assertion.

“I say we take exception to your response, we do not embark on a wild goose chase. We are also responsible elected Members of the National Assembly who also base our actions on actionable intel, as they say in the intelligence community and this is the information that we received to form the basis.

“We are also privy to a communication by the President regarding this particular issue which we will not say openly but take it up with you in private because we also understand that certain things are classified and confidential,” he said.

Gbillah assured Malami the committee will avail him of relevant documents at its disposal in the course of the investigation.

In his response, the AGF said he was ready to cooperate with the committee if given the relevant documents regarding the probe.

He boasted that his office has helped the country in the recovery of over $1 billion for the country and would not in any way frustrate any efforts aimed at recovering the country’s revenues stashed anywhere.

To this end, the ad-hoc committee asked Malami to furnish it with documents regarding all the recoveries his office has made for the country within period under investigation.

President says 9th NASS most productive

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday explained that he avoided meddling in the affairs of the National Assembly because of his belief in the independence of the Legislature.

He said he rather promoted a culture of mutual respect and collaboration between the National Assembly and the Executive.

Buhari attributed his achievements to the harmonious working relationship between the Executive which he heads and the Legislature.

The President described the 9th National Assembly as the most productive both in terms of outputs and outcomes in the last four years.

Buhari spoke after he inaugurated the permanent site of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja. NILDS is the training arm of the National Assembly.

Buhari said: “As you are all aware, I have traversed all parts of Nigeria in the last few days inaugurating several critical national infrastructures that my administration has completed over the last eight years.

“Our successes as a government are primarily due to the harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.

“The Legislature is the cornerstone of any democracy and is vital to ensuring that the wishes and aspirations of all Nigerians are considered during the lawmaking process.

“It also performs critical functions of overseeing the Executive and ensuring that government spending aligns with legislative intent.

“As you are aware, from the moment of my election in 2015 and subsequently, I supported the idea of an independent National Assembly, one that is able to decide its Leadership and develop its agenda in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I refrained from meddling in the affairs of the legislature and promoted, instead, a culture of mutual respect and collaboration between the two arms of government.

“The numerous positive outcomes for our country Nigeria underscore the importance of a harmonious Executive-Legislature relationship.

“Working with the National Assembly, we have passed an unprecedented number of Bills into law, provided funding for key infrastructure, implemented several governmental reforms, and addressed some of the long-standing challenges that have hampered economic growth and development.

“Our achievements in reforming the oil and gas sector, strengthening the electoral framework, diversifying our economy, improving transparency and accountability, tackling insecurity and entrenching good governance are easily verifiable.

“As such, this 9th Assembly will be remembered as one of the most productive in terms of outputs and outcomes. I thank the leadership of the National Assembly for giving me the support required to deliver on my promises to Nigerians.”

The President also the nation’s teeming youth population provides the labour force needed to industrialise and develop the economy.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said Buhari had so far signed over 100 bills passed by the National Assembly.

His words: “We in the Ninth National Assembly have supported the President in ensuring the timely delivery of these critical infrastructures.

“Notably, in the last three years, the Senate and the House of Representatives dedicated a substantial part of the national budget towards funding infrastructure development across all six geo-political zones.

“As a result of this collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive, hundreds of roads, bridges and rail lines across Nigeria have been constructed or rehabilitated.

“In addition, we have also passed several legislations to provide an overarching framework for sustainable economic growth and development.

“Significantly also, the investment in infrastructure development extends to all six geo-political zones of the country.

“History will remember President Buhari’s tenacity and unwavering commitment to charting a new course for Nigeria.”

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the ability of the Legislature to function effectively and hold the Executive to account depended on its internal human and financial capacity.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, on Thursday, defended the outgoing administration of President Muhammadu Buhari over the continued approval of multi-billion naira contracts and foreign loans, saying Buhari can award contract and loan till the last minutes.

Fashola while responding to those advising the President to stop awarding further contracts, with few days to the expiration of his government, maintained that “this government must work until the very last day of its tenure”

He said “some people are still saying why are they borrowing few days to their expiration, its because we don’t have enough money and people want infrastructure.

“Some people are saying that why are we still awarding contracts few days to go, but they have forgotten that the tenure of this present administration ends at the midnight of 28th May, 2023 and when it is 12 midnight, Bola Tinubu takes over the government and that is why we are still working.

“They forget that you the people of Nigeria through your representatives have passed a budget for us to implement.

If you don’t want borrowing that means government will increase your taxes because that is another way to pay the deficits and that is how it is done in any party of the world.”

Speaking on how some projects are being funded, Fashola said “we want good roads and we are complaining that Buhari’s administration is borrowing money, who is now going to give us money to execute all these projects.

“I’m also here to tell you that we will be leaving behind sustainable development here whether we are still in the office or not.

“Two days ago, I signed the advance payment guarantee request for the release of the money to the contractor.

“Now that we have done all the processes, contractor have started moving around to talk to those that will supply them materials to use for the construction. So, we are constructing this road afresh.