Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has said that he is confident he will be granted bail this April after being in detention for four years.
Kanu stated this to the President-General of the Igbo Community Association, ICA, in Abuja, the FCT, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, when he visited him at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja, where he is being held.
In a statement issued by Ezenekwe after his visit to the detained IPOB leader, he affirmed that Kanu expressed disappointment over the lack of strong Igbo leadership and calls for his release, while also urging renewed advocacy for the region’s interests.
Ezenekwe, in the press statement made available to Arogidigba Global Journal, said he was surprised that Kanu was upbeat, jovial, and had even gained weight despite his travails.
The statement reads: “Today at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, I had the honor of visiting Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). During our discussion, he appeared healthier and more relaxed and reaffirmed his resilience despite his current circumstances.
“He called for a referendum, describing it as a pivotal step towards self-determination, and reiterated his firm belief that he has committed no offense other than urging our people to awake from their slumber.
“He communicated a strong message of self-assurance, noting that he is taking his prescribed medications and remains in good spirits.
“More significantly, he expressed disappointment at the apparent leadership vacuum within the Igbo community—a neglect that has allowed our people’s voice to fade at a critical moment.
“Kanu expressed unwavering confidence in his legal team and his hope for release by the end of April 2025. This resonated as a powerful testament to his dedication and fortitude.”
Ezenekwe said the meeting served as a vital reminder of the shared struggle for recognition, justice, and the advancement of Igbo interests in Nigeria.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to order Kanu’s release, saying that doing so would demonstrate the president’s commitment to justice.
“In light of today’s (Wednesday’s) encounter, I issue an earnest appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I call on him to draw upon the spirit of democracy and commitment to justice that defined his own struggles and to take decisive action in securing the freedom of our brother and hero, Nnamdi Kanu.
“Let this moment serve as a turning point—a renewal of our collective determination to safeguard the rights, dignity, and future of the Igbo people,” he stated.