Femi Adesina, a former spokesperson to the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed that Buhari chose to bring back the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to face trial in the country, when the government had the option of eliminating him at his hiding place.
Adesina, who revealed this in the book, “Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),” unveiled in Abuja last week, described the president’s decision as a favour.
Adesina narrated how a group known as Highly-Respected Igbo Greats, led by Mbazulike Ameachi, a first republic Minister of Aviation, pleaded with the former president to release Kanu.
Buhari said the federal government, on his watch, had the option to eliminate Kanu, but it was thought that bringing him back to Nigeria to face trial was the best option for all parties.
“In the past six years, I have developed a system in which I don’t interfere with the judiciary,” Buhari said.
“Let him make his case in court instead of giving a terrible impression of the country from outside. That was why in the case of Kanu, I said the best was to subject him to the system.
“I feel it is a favour to give him (Kanu) that opportunity. Government could have mobilized to eliminate him where he was, but we did not do that.
“You have made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, nobody will say I have confronted the judiciary.
“We are developing a country, and we have to go through the pains. The demand you have made is heavy, but I will consider it. I am glad to know you closely at this time.”
Kanu was extradited to Nigeria in 2021 after he jumped bail and fled the country, following his arraignment for alleged terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement.
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