A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged the federal government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The legal practitioner emphasised the need for a political resolution to the long-running case.

PUNCH Online reports that Kanu has been held by the Department of State Services since his re-arrest in June 2021, a development that has sparked persistent appeals for his freedom.

Among those who have advocated for his release are Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Okonkwo expressed concern over the prolonged detention and criticised the justice system’s handling of the matter.

The Nollywood actor-turned-politician noted that Kanu’s extended incarceration reflects a broader failure in the delivery of justice.

“A nation that detains a human being for more than seven years. You have him in your custody and yet you couldn’t even reach a judgment as to the culpability of his crime is a nation that is failing in the dispensation of justice,” he said.

Citing Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, Okonkwo stressed that the delay in resolving Kanu’s case undermines the credibility of the legal system.

He said, “Justice delayed is justice denied. When it comes to the issue of crime, the Constitution is very clear that the accused or defendant should be judged within a reasonable time.

“It is very unreasonable to keep a man in detention for almost seven years. What are you judging?”

Speaking further, Okonkwo argued that no individual should endure such lengthy pretrial detention, which the IPOB leader has endured.

“In the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the legal processes have been abused. Nobody remains sane to be in jail for more than seven years while a case is being tried.

“People are frustrated, people believe that if you do not find anything against this man, release him or reach a political solution,” he said.