TheLeadng can exclusively report that the extradition and trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu was discussed at the meeting between the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN and the High Commissioner of the Great Britain, Ms. Catriona Laing on Thursday.
The discussion was deliberately left out of the statement issued by the office of the minister.
- Forensic investigation has revealed Nnamdi Kanu’s sponsors, collaborators — FG
- DSS declares Sunday Igboho wanted, confirms killing two, parades 12
- How Kanu orchestrated killing of 60 persons in 4 months — FG
Dr Umar Gwandu, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, who issued a statement, said the meeting which lasted for almost an hour was to discuss bilateral issues relating to Asset Recovery, Anti-corruption crusade, amendment of the Electoral Act, the Audit Bill, Petroleum Industry Bill, Twitter ban and counter terrorism approaches.
However, TheLeadng learnt that the meeting also discussed the arrest and extradition of Kanu.
The British government has said that it will seek clarification from the Nigerian government on the arrest of Kanu, a British citizen, who was remanded in the facility of the Department of State Service, DSS, after his arraignment before Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday.
A reliable source, who was privy to the meeting said the British government wants to know if the extradition of Kanu follows due process and also ensure he gets fair trial in court.
Malami, according to his SA said the fundamental interest and objective of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was to leverage on bills to enhance value in terms of creating amiable environment for investment, protecting the public interest for the maximum benefit of the country.
On Petroleum Industry Bill, the Minister said necessary steps have been taken to ensure the pending bills are transmitted to the President for accent.
Malami said the essence of the amendment of the Electoral Act was to enhance the democratic system thereby aiming at addressing delays in judicial determination of pre-election matters, as well as ensuring justice and fairness in the conduct of election processes including party primaries.
“To strengthen the fight against corruption the government came up with the Proceeds of Crime Bill and Audit Bill among others’’.
Malami noted that public interest has been the uppermost consideration within which the context of freedom of expressions should be regulated and reasonable restrictions to freedom of expressions are locally and internationally recognized.
“Our government is not averse to freedom. Freedom is not borderless. Freedom of expression must not be used in such a manner that incites citizens to violence or calls for an overthrow of a democratically elected government. There are bounds to freedom within the laws,” he said.
On the Twitter ban in the country, Malami said the government has established a committee on the matter and that the company has approached the government over the issue.
He maintained that the interest of Nigerians matters most for any company that wants do business in the country.
“If you want to operate as a business entity in Nigeria, you must do so within the context of Nigerian laws, nothing offensive or that breach the Nigerian laws should be entertained”.
