The Igwe of Ezema Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, His Royal Highness Ambassador Dr. Lawerence Agubuzu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, or return him to Kenya or the United Kingdom if his continued stay in Nigeria poses concerns.
Kanu was arrested in Kenya during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and brought back to Nigeria to face terrorism-related charges.
He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court and is currently held at a maximum-security facility in Sokoto.
Speaking at the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Agubuzu warned that Kanu’s continued detention was fueling frustration and restiveness among youths in the Southeast.
“Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, send him back to Kenya or London, where he came from. Please do something about this,” the monarch said during his goodwill message.
Agubuzu referenced remarks by the Ooni of Ife, who had earlier urged national unity and collective responsibility.
The Enugu monarch noted what he described as a perceived imbalance, pointing out that while unity was being preached, Kanu remained incarcerated.
He compared Kanu to Sunday Igboho, regarded by some as a separatist figure in the Southwest, and argued that reconciliation efforts must address grievances across regions if Nigeria is to move forward.
“We can’t move forward in this country unless we face the truth,” Agubuzu stated, urging the President to take decisive action.
The summit, themed “The Role of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Advancing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” was primarily convened to strengthen grassroots participation in health reforms.
However, discussions shifted briefly to national politics following the monarch’s intervention.
Kanu’s case has remained a sensitive issue, with several prominent Igbo leaders continuing to appeal for political dialogue and resolution.
