Kalu visits Kanu, IPOB leader in prison

A former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Friday paid a visit to the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, where he said the latter did not deserve to be in detention.

Kalu, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, posted a picture he had taken with Kanu during his visit to Kuje Prison.

In the post, Kalu said, “Today, I visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje Prison and we engaged in a very long discussion. Kanu is my brother and a son of the soil. He shouldn’t be where he is because Kuje Prison is not his home. It is therefore my utmost concern to see him regain his freedom like every other Nigerian.”

However, Kalu’s post generated a mixed reaction on Facebook, as some commenters criticised him while others commended the move.

A Facebook user, Usman Ibrahim, said, “Sir, you made a very good decision by visiting and advising him, peace is better than everything in life.”

Another Facebook user, Chukwuwike Anijunsi, said, “Well done sir! Every great leader is known for what he has done for others (and) not for himself alone. Ndigbo will be happy to see a solution to the unending political neglect of their people.”

But Peter Stone’s comment on the online forum was critical of Kalu, saying, “You have proven several times to us that you are a political prostitute and so you don’t expect Nnamdi Kanu to adhere to your selfish advice. You disappointed me as a fan of yours the moment you joined the APC. You should be ashamed of yourself sir.”

A Federal High Court in Abuja had granted the Federal Government permission to shield the identities of witnesses billed to testify against Kanu.

Kanu, who had rejected the ruling, threatened that there would be no Nigeria by the time he finished giving his testimony in court.

He had said, “This is nonsense. I will give testimony before this court. By the time I finish, there will be no Nigeria. This is no Sharia court. It is a court that operates under the common law.”

Kanu, who is facing 11-counts bordering on treasonable felony and his alleged involvement in acts of terrorism, has been in detention since October 2015 when he was arrested by security operatives.

Punch