Why Nnamdi Kanu Might not Regain Freedom Despite Bail

Stakeholders in the Igbo circle have decried the stringent nature of bail granted to Biafra separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu who has been incarcerated for over a year.

 

Governor Ayodele Fayose and Nnamdi Kanu

 

Reactions trailed Tuesday the bail granted the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with former president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife and first republic minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi describing the conditions as too stringent.

 

In their separate reactions shortly after the court sitting, they wondered how the court expected Kanu to meet those conditions.

 

Among the conditions were that those to stand surety for him would include a senator, a prominent Igbo leader and a Jewish leader, who must deposit N100 million each. Kanu is also expected not to appear where there is a crowd of more than 10 persons.

 

Speaking with Vanguard, Ikedife said: “It is good that they have granted him bail. This is what I have been demanding for a long time.

“The next thing we expect them to do is to dispose of the charges brought against him one way or the other. They detained him for a long time and the question is, are they going to compensate him for long incarceration? He ought to have been released a long time ago, but those who kept him in detention did so for reasons only they can explain.

“Besides, the bail conditions are stringent. Is Kanu going to get all these people who have been burying money in various places to surety him? Where will he find the three people listed as those to surety him?

 

“However, the court saying that he should not appear in a crowd is something good because his presence in such a place could lead to violence, which may have undesired effect.”

 

Also speaking to Vanguard, Chief Mbazulike Amechi said: “Granting bail to Nnamdi Kanu was long overdue. He is a prisoner of conscience and they incarcerated him this long because he is an Igbo man.

“The conditions given him to meet are very unkind. He should have been granted bail unconditionally. And how do they expect him to get people with the kind of money mentioned to surety him?”