- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has called for the release of the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, warning that the Southeast region will never be at peace with Kanu in jail.
Obi Cubana gave the warning in a post on his Instagram handle on Friday in the wake of Kanu’s life sentencing over terrorism act.
NPO Reported that Kanu was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of all the seven counts contained in the terrorism charge filed against him.
While five out of the counts had carried death sentence, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, overturned the sentence into life imprisonment while.
Omotosho further sentenced the IPOB leader to a total of 25 years’ imprisonment over the other two counts which is to run concurrently alongside the life imprisonment.
Reacting to the development, Obi Cubana, in the post on his Instagram handle, warned of the implications of keeping Kanu in jail as he disclosed ongoing efforts in securing his release.
“My dear brothers and sisters, this is no time to further divide us.
“A lot of people have been tirelessly working behind the scene devoting time and resources to see our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free and reunited with us.
“One thing is very clear here: No Igbo man or woman will have peace if MNK does not regain his freedom, and ala Igbo will NEVER be the same again…….
“Tempers are high, words are being exchanged but one thing is also clear; we all want MNK out, and we will NEVER rest till MNK is out.” He wrote.
Obi Cubana further disclosed that prominent businessmen and leaders of the Southeast have over the past three month been engaging in dialogue with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to see to the release of Kanu.
The businessman also disclosed their meeting with Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, over discussion on issues ranging from new tax regime, insecurity, to largely political solutions that can lead to Kanu’s release.
“On two auspicious occasions amidst numerous engagements within the last 3months, myself alongside other well-meaning Nigerians have sat down on a table with the Deputy Speaker @officialbenkalu and then with the Son of the President @seyitinubu and the burning issues discussed were the insecurity, the new tax regime as it affects businesses, ease of doing business in the country, customs, FIRS, Nafdac and the political solutions that can lead to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“I can tell you that numerous efforts have been going on these issues.” The businessman said.
He urged Tinubu to hearken to cry of the people and free Kanu while calling for constructive agitation and negotiation.
“Our dear President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialasiwajubat this is the time for you to heed the cry of our people and free Nnamdi Kanu.
“Most importantly, we are working on a Nigeria where each of us can live and operate freely without fear regardless of ethnicity, religion and culture.
“Constructive agitations remain the bedrock upon which great societies are built, but solutions will only be found on the negotiation table.” He added.