Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu on Wednesday, disclosed his willingness to negotiate with the Federal Government.
Kanu based his desire for a negotiation with the Federal Government on Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2021 when he was re-arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Nigeria.
Since the IPOB leader’s detention, he has been standing trial for terrorism-related charges before an Abuja Federal High Court.
According to Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, “In any Proceeding In the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof”.
Kanu, who spoke through his his lead counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, told the Abuja Federal High Court of his negotiations after he moved two applications brought before the court.
The first application is to move for form 49 and an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court.
Ejimakor said if the applications are denied, they would move for the implementation of Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
In his response, Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, told the court that he had earlier informed the defendant that he lacked the powers to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government, stressing the fiat given to him didn’t empower him to negotiate.
Awomolo added that the defendant should approach the Attorney General of the Federation.
Justice Binta Nyako, in her reply, said the court was not a solicitor, but to only hear cases.
