Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the South East Governors of not doing enough to secure his brother’s release from detention. Speaking on Friday in Umuahia, Abia State, during a memorial service for their late parents, HRM Eze Israel and Ugoeze Sally Kanu, Prince Emmanuel expressed disappointment that the Governors had not taken the necessary steps to address his brother’s case with the President.
Kanu’s family has been vocal about their frustration with the lack of progress in securing Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom, particularly with the South East Governors, who they believe should be at the forefront of efforts to resolve the situation.
“It’s either they are complicit or something,” Prince Emmanuel Kanu said. “Why have they not met with Mr. President on Nnamdi Kanu? The information available to us is that Mr. President asked them to meet with him officially over the matter, but up till now, they haven’t done so.”
Kanu pointed out that if the Governors were genuinely committed to his brother’s release, they would have requested an audience with the President and worked towards resolving the situation. He also questioned whether the Governors were benefiting from the unrest in the South East region, which many believe has been exacerbated by Nnamdi Kanu’s detention.
“If they release Nnamdi Kanu today, all this tension in the South East will fizzle out in 24 hours because we will now know those hiding under the guise of the agitation for his release to perpetrate crime in the region,” he said.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s comments came as the family marked the fifth anniversary of the deaths of their parents, who died following the trauma they suffered during the military’s invasion of their home in September 2017. The attack, which occurred under the military’s Operation Python Dance, targeted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s home in Afaraukwu, Abia State, and left several people dead, including the Kanu family’s patriarch, HRM Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, and his wife, Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu.
Prince Emmanuel recalled the devastating effect the attack had on his parents, who were deeply affected by the violent raid. “We are humbled to see the crowd that gathered in our house to honour my late parents who died as a result of the shock they had when the soldiers raided our house in 2017,” he said, referring to the gathering of people at the memorial event. “28 people were killed in our house during that raid. The people have renamed today, February 14, Saint Kanu’s Day to honour my late parents who were buried on February 14.”
The attack, which was intended to apprehend or kill Nnamdi Kanu, left a lasting trauma on his family. Prince Emmanuel also expressed gratitude for the turnout at the memorial, thanking those who travelled from outside the South East states to show their support.
“We appreciate everyone for coming, especially those from outside South East States. We are encouraged by their show of love,” he added.
In addition to calling out the South East Governors, the Kanu family also expressed their concerns regarding the handling of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial. They questioned why Justice Binta Nyako, the judge presiding over his case, had decided to adjourn the trial indefinitely. The family alleged that Justice Nyako no longer had jurisdiction over the case, as she had previously recused herself from it.
“Why is she trying to force herself in the case? Does she have interest in the matter?” Prince Emmanuel asked. “We have said it severally that she is biased. She has turned down every application to relocate Nnamdi Kanu to prison custody instead of the DSS cell where they have held him for years under severe conditions.”
The family’s criticism of the judicial process highlights the growing sense of frustration and perceived injustice in the way Nnamdi Kanu’s trial is being handled. They are particularly upset by what they see as the judge’s reluctance to grant requests for a fair trial or improved conditions for Kanu’s detention.
As the family continues to demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release, they have called on the international community to intervene and apply pressure on the Nigerian government to free the IPOB leader. The Kanu family maintains that Nnamdi Kanu committed no crime and is unjustly incarcerated for his advocacy of Biafran self-determination, which they argue is a legitimate cause.
“We demand my brother’s release. The issues he raised are germane,” Prince Emmanuel Kanu said. “His matter is a case of dialogue and meaningful conversation.”
During the memorial service, Biafran elders and other prominent figures from the region gathered to show their support for the Kanu family and demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release. High Chief Agonsi Ebere, the leader of Elders in Biafra land, was among those who spoke out, highlighting the need for the Federal Government to listen to the growing pleas for Kanu’s release. Chief Ebere argued that Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention would not bring any positive outcomes for Nigeria as a whole, and that it was time for the government to end the standoff.
“His continued detention will not bring any progress to Nigeria,” said Chief Ebere. “We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu to Biafra elders. His release will restore peace to the South East.”
Aniekan Ekanem, the Akwa Ibom Regional head of the Biafra group, also spoke during the memorial, highlighting that Biafra is not solely an Igbo issue but one that affects the entire Old Eastern region. He noted that the people of Akwa Ibom, who are closely connected to the Igbo people, strongly support Nnamdi Kanu and his cause.
“The masses are behind Kanu because he is championing a good cause,” Ekanem said. “Contrary to misconception in some quarters, Biafra is not an Igbo agenda but affects the people of the Old Eastern region. Akwa Ibom, which is known as Igbo nta, shares a lot in common with Igbo.”
The memorial event saw participation from various groups across the South East and beyond, including elders and leaders from Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and the five South Eastern states.
