Bruce Fein, a U.S. national and lawyer for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has written to Anambra governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, asking to join in the meeting he is to have with President Muhammadu Buhari over Kanu’s incarceration.
On Monday, Soludo said he had booked a session with Buhari and was awaiting an appointment.
According to the governor, he plans to discuss the insecurity in Southeast Nigeria and the release of Kanu.
In the letter addressed to Soludo, dated February 14, 2023, and titled ‘Re: Meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss release of Nnamdi Kanu,’ Fein said as Kanu’s international lawyer, he should be part of the meeting.
The lawyer also noted some things that should form part of the agenda for the meeting.
He said, “You have announced booking an appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari to submit a letter for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. This letter is a natural sequel to your announcement.
“As Mr. Kanu’s international lawyer and spokesman, I should be a participant in the meeting to ensure the release complies with jus cogens norms of international law which are binding on all nations irrespective of consent. As you are aware, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an authoritative Opinion on July 20, 2022, finding Mr. Kanu’s imprisonment violated sixteen (16) jus cogens prohibitions of international law and ordering his immediate, unconditional release.
“President Buhari is currently in contempt of the Working Group Opinion. Among other things, the meeting agenda should include procedural protocols for negotiating a peaceful end to the frightful convulsions in the Southeast in conjunction with Mr. Kanu’s release.
“Nigeria salvation is in avoiding pariah status and complying with its international law obligations. Please contact me to discuss further. The issue is too important to be treated cavalierly.”
Sahara Reporters