The spiritual leader and founder of the One Love Family spiritual community in Nigeria, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has said he is willing to help secure the release of the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, if supporters of the group agree to stop operating the Biafra radio platform and end the sit at home order that has disrupted activities in parts of the South East region. Okay News reports.
Satguru Maharaj Ji made the statement during an interview on his organisation’s internal radio station on Wednesday. He addressed the ongoing debates surrounding the conviction of Mr. Kanu, who has been serving a life sentence handed down by a Federal High Court in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria in West Africa.
According to Maharaj Ji, Mr. Kanu’s conviction on terrorism related charges followed the provisions in Nigeria’s constitution. He said that offences of that nature carry very severe penalties under the law. He stated, “We are, however, grateful that the matter has been put on hold in the sense that, by the accusations, it is always going to be death, looking at the level of crimes attached to him, with the way and manner the constitution is written. Anybody who is accused of doing such a thing (terrorism) is sentenced to death. It is only out of grace that Kanu was able to escape.”
He explained that the only realistic option for Mr. Kanu’s release is a political settlement that must involve contributions from prominent figures across the South East geopolitical zone. “So now it has to be by political settlement before he (Kanu) can be released, and it will be addressed in so many ways. For anyone advocating for his pardon, they have to take positive steps. In other words, they must not do so with empty hands; they should stop the Biafra radio wherever it is. Secondly, the sit-at-home order should be stopped, and the judgment should be accepted while the Igbo elders go behind the scenes to analyse and explain to the President.”
Satguru Maharaj Ji also commented on the place of South Easterners in national politics under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria. He said, “Today, the Igbos have been brought to the central realms of politics by Tinubu. And the Northern caliphate is not happy about it. They are not excited about the commission they were given…They should stop the propaganda that the East is about to be Islamised. When those are done, I know how to watch it out, Kanu will come out. I will help facilitate his release.“
He joins several other leaders from the region, including Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who have been advocating for a political process to secure Mr. Kanu’s release. Many community leaders across the South East believe that resolving the issue could ease long standing tensions in the area.
Governor Otti met with President Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday immediately after visiting Mr. Kanu at the Sokoto prison facility in northern Nigeria where he is serving his sentence. The meeting is considered part of ongoing engagement efforts coordinated by leaders who want a political resolution.
Mr. Kanu received a life sentence instead of a death penalty after the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, delivered the ruling on counts one, two, four, five, and six. He was also sentenced to twenty years on count three and five years on count seven with no option of fine in both counts. Justice Omotosho convicted him on all seven charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
