A recommendation seeking to ensure the release of Nnamdi
Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suffered a
setback at the house of representatives, on Thursday.
Ginger Onwusibe, a lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa north
federal constituency of Abia, while proposing an amendment to a motion
sponsored by Eze Nwachukwu from Ebonyi, said killings in the south-east were
because of Kanu’s detention.
The motion sought to forestall the killings in
Ebonyi/Ohaukwu federal constituency of Ebonyi state.
While moving the motion, Eze said a tragic incident occurred
on July 4 where two residents were killed in a marketplace by faceless
assailants, leaving several others seriously wounded.
He expressed disappointment that security agencies failed to
provide proper protection for the market.
The lawmaker said despite the several attacks in the federal
constituency, security agencies are yet to “adopt workable measures to abate
further killing in the area”.
But contributing to the motion, Onwusibe proposed that the
house should ask Tinubu to ensure Kanu’s release to put an end to the killings
in the south-east geo-political zone.
“The insecurity
situation in the entire south-east is a result of the prolonged detention of
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
He asked the house to urge the president to see a “way of
releasing him (Kanu) so as to restore peace in the entire south-east”.
But Abdullahi Halims, the deputy majority leader, kicked
against the prayer, saying the house should not delve into a matter which is
before the court.
“The amendment as proposed by my colleague for the release
of somebody in detention is a constitutional matter and should not be brought
before the floor of this house because it is in the court and (would be)
subjudice,” Halims said.
“Matters like that
are always determined by the court and not by parliamentary decision.”
However, Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, spoke in favour
of the amendment, noting that the proposal by Onwusibe sought to find an
“amicable way” of securing Kanu’s release.
“The motion moved by Ginger was to find an amicable way of
resolving the issue with regards to Nnamdi Kanu and to maybe urge the president
to use any other diplomatic or political approach, granted that this is before
the court, to find a lasting solution on this issue because those of us from
the south-east know where the shoe is pinching us,” Kalu, who is from Abia
said.
Kalu said Kanu’s release would create a “healthy situation
in the south-east”.
“The amendment is for
us to urge Mr president to use political and diplomatic intervention to release
Nnamdi Kanu to enable that zone to find a lasting peace,” he added.
When Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, put the amendment to a
voice vote, he couldn’t determine if it was the ayes or nays that were louder.
“Honourable
colleagues, I am unable to ascertain which side has carried the day. So we will
suspend the (proposed amendment) to the end. Let me allow other people to
propose their amendment,” he said.
Usman Kumo, the chief whip, in his contribution,
corroborated Halims’ position, saying the matter should not be discussed
because it is in the court.
“We don’t have any
issue with the release of anybody in Nigeria. All Nigerians are very important
but let’s please respect our laws. We cannot discuss it,” he said.
Kumo also cited order 9 rule 1(5) of the house’ standing
order, which states that “reference
shall not be made to any matter which the judicial decision is pending, in such
a way as might, in the speaker’s opinion, prejudice the interest of parties
thereto”.
In his ruling, Abbas said the amendment will be decided on
next week after “due consultation”.
“This is a topical issue, my ruling on this is that I will
defer ruling on this at this particular time and I will invite both the
minority and majority leaders so that we can consult and see what the point of
the law says before I make my own position known,” the speaker said.
“So while I rule on other motions and amendments that have
been proposed, that particular one is suspended for ruling next week after due
consultation.”
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