The Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the case of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Agubuzu made the appeal on Tuesday while speaking at the National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held in Abuja, which was attended by President Tinubu and other prominent leaders.
During his remarks, the monarch expressed concern over Kanu’s continued detention, noting that it remains a source of deep emotional pain to many people in the South-East.
According to him, national unity and reconciliation would be strengthened if urgent steps were taken to address the situation. He urged the President to consider facilitating Kanu’s release, suggesting that if the IPOB leader was not welcome in Nigeria, authorities could consider returning him to either Kenya or the United Kingdom, where he previously resided.
The monarch also expressed concerns over growing youth agitation in the South-East, warning that traditional leaders face increasing criticism from younger residents who perceive them as ineffective in addressing regional grievances.
President Tinubu, however, did not publicly respond to the appeal but acknowledged the monarch’s remarks with applause during the event.
Legal Battle and Conviction
Kanu’s case has remained one of Nigeria’s most debated political and security issues. On November 20, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges.
Following the judgment, Kanu filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging both his conviction and sentence. His legal team argued that the trial contained serious legal flaws and amounted to a miscarriage of justice.
In January, Justice Omotosho also dismissed an ex parte application filed by Kanu seeking transfer from the correctional facility in Sokoto State, where he is currently being held.
Political Reactions and Calls for Dialogue
The continued detention of the IPOB leader has sparked reactions from political stakeholders, particularly in the South-East.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State previously revealed that efforts were underway to secure Kanu’s release, stressing the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the matter.
Otti warned that the early handling of the IPOB crisis contributed to current tensions, urging political actors to avoid exploiting the issue for partisan interests and instead work collectively toward a peaceful resolution.
Similarly, former Abia State governor and senator, Orji Kalu, has advocated a political solution to the matter. Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, Kalu said resolving Kanu’s case requires strategic political engagement rather than purely legal action.
He added that while he respects the court’s decision, ongoing consultations with the federal government were aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the long-running dispute.
Kanu’s detention continues to generate national debate, with many stakeholders calling for balanced approaches that address security concerns while promoting national unity and stability.