Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is standing trial, that he would seek negotiation with the Federal Government over his ongoing trial.
Lead counsel to Kanu, Alloy Ejimakor, who made this known on Wednesday, said he would seek the negotiation under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which states that: “In any Proceeding In the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof.”
Ejimakor had earlier moved two applications brought before the court, the first being to move form 49 and an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court.
He had stated that Kanu’s lawyer said if the applications are denied, his client will move for the implementation of section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
However, counsel to the federal government, Adegboyega Awomolo, told the court that he had earlier informed the defendant that he does not have the powers to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government.
He, therefore, advised the defendant to approach the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who has the power to negotiate on behalf of the government.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, in a response, said the court is not a solicitor, but only hears cases.
