Fact-check: Did Ihedioha Write a Letter Advising Malami Not to Release Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB?
Claim: A letter purportedly written and signed by the former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, advised the AGF not to acquit Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) following the verdict of court of appeal discharging him.
Full-Text: the letter addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice reads in part: “In my view and humbly so, I suggest a quick move by the federal government to continue his detention, apply for a stay of execution of the judgment of the court of appeal and file an appeal at the Supreme Court, this will enable his continued detention legal and would reasonably guarantee peace and security in the southeast towards the 2023 election.”
Expressing concern that his release will sabotage the goodwill of the upcoming general elections, the writer noted, “…I am convinced that the position of the court of appeal will be convenient for the people of the southeast and is not healthy for our democracy.
“His notoriety in Nigerian elections which is not favorable for the people of the southeast is a serious concern. As an Igbo leader, it will be a great disservice to my people if I don’t speak up to protect the integrity of our goodwill towards democratic leadership.”
It therefore “solicited” the federal government through the office of the Attorney General and minister for justice to “explore the appropriate legal options to ensure the safety of democracy in the South East,” the letter concluded.
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Verification: PRNigeria conducted a keyword search and the results from the Punch, The Cable, and The EagleOnline among other credible media organizations revealed that the former Speaker has debunked the claim that he wrote a letter to the Minister of Justice advising the FG not to release the IPOB leader.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ihedioha distanced himself from the widely circulated letter which generated a lot of comments on his personality in the southeastern region of the country.
“It is laughable and preposterous, knowing my background and predicament that I will be writing to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, asking him to continue to illegally hold on to Nnamdi Kanu even after a court of competent jurisdiction had discharged him,” the statement reads in part.
Rubbishing the claim as senseless, Mr Ihedioha who wondered what benefits such endeavor would confer on him if he had truly undertaken it concludes thus; “I am not unduly worried, though, because our people know better. But we can no longer allow criminality to reign supreme. I, therefore, urge the security agencies to investigate those behind this blatant forgery and bring them to justice. Criminality should not be elevated to an art of governance. Imolites deserve better [sic].”
However, undisputable sources in the Ministry of Justice who do not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter confirmed the receipt of the letter.
“A Letter bearing his name was certainly received at about 1:00pm today. It was addressed on Friday 14th and it arrived our office on Monday 17th.”
The source who further said he could not confirm the content of the letter as at press time said, “we can’t say for now if all the contents are the same as the one seen online advising the AGF not to acquit Nnamdi Kanu or if it is a forged letter.….”
Conclusion: Findings by PRNigeria, revealed that a letter which emanated from the former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha and addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) was received in the office of the AGF at exactly 01:00pm on Monday 17th October 2022, however, the content of the letter remains sketchy. There is therefore INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE to confirm or deny the claim.
By PRNigeria
