Drama in Reps as Speaker Abbas rejects amendment motion to release Nnamdi Kanu

By Christiana Ekpa

The release of Nnamdi Kanu may suffer a major setback as the House of Representatives on Thursday stepped down and rejected amendment to a motion asking that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra be released.
Recall that Kanu has been in DSS custody despite ruling by the court to release the Biafra warlord.
A member of the House from Ebonyi State had moved a motion on the “Need to Forestall Further Killings in Ebonyi Local Government Area, and the Rising Insecurity in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State” sponsored by Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze.
The lawmaker in his recommendations asked the House to “observe a minute silence in honour of the people that lost their lives during the attack”.
He Urged the President Tinubu-led administration to consult with Political, Traditional and Religious Leaders in Ebonyi State and South East to find a lasting solution to the Insecurity in the South East.
He asked the Ag. Inspector General of Police to mobilize Armoured Personnel Carriers to strategic points across Ebonyi State to forestall future attacks.
He further urge the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to ensure effective policing of Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu Federal Constituency of Ebonyi, other States of the South-East and the entire country.
“Again urge the Nigeria Police Force to engage in training of the vigilante group for intelligence gathering and effective community policing.
“Mandate the Committee on Police Affairs (when constituted) to make Budgetary provisions for the Nigeria Police force to acquire more combat Helicopters so as to ensure proper surveillance of the South-East States and Nigeria in general”.
However an amendment to the motion to include the release of Nnamdi Kanu was rejected and deffered by the presiding officer Speaker Abbas who said the subject matter should not come under the motion on Ebonyi killings.
Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe representing Isiala Ngwa North of Abia State had asked the House to amend the motion to ensure the release of Nnamdi Kanu so as to out an end to the disturbing cases of killings in the south eastern part of the Country.
Ginger said “ The insecurity is as a result of the prolonged detention of Mazi Kanu and see a way of releasing him so as to restore pecet to the entire south east”, he said.
But the Deputy House leader, Hon Abfullahi Ibrahim Halims rejected the Amendment, arguing that “ matters like that are always determined by court and not by parliamentary decision”.
Speaking on same subject matter, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said “the motion moved by Hon. Ginger was to find an amicable way of resolving the issue with regards to Nnamdi Kanu and what the prayer of the amendment should read is to urge Mr president to use any other diplomatic or political approach to grant that, this is before the court to find a lasting solution on this issue because those of us from the region know where it’s pitching us”, Kalu said.
In his ruling, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said “this is a topical issue, my ruling on this is that I will defer ruling on this at this particular time and I will invite both the minority and majority leaders so that we can consult and see what the point of the law says before I make my own position known”.
“So while I rule on other motions and amendment that have been proposed, that particular one is suspended for ruling next week after due consultation”.