The Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Edwin Clark, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the judgment of the Court of Appeal and release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The Court of Appeal had exonerated and acquitted the IPOB leader of all terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami insisted that Kanu was only exonerated but not acquitted.
The National Security Council also echoed Malami's position and disagreed with Kanu's full acquittal. Despite the verdict, the secessionist remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement Monday, Clark, an elder statesman, recalled how President Muhammadu Buhari had promised in several meetings with stakeholders from the Southeast to abide by the court's decision regarding the IPOB leader.
"Now that the Court of Appeal has delivered its judgment on the matter, I implore the President to abide by the judgment of the court and release the young man so that peace can reign," he said.
"At this time when insecurity is the order of the day, anything that promotes peace and stability in the country must be supported," he said.
Clark also attacked Malami for his stance, saying he (Malami) had abandoned part of his task and was now involved in what he called "executive racketeering."
"I have noted with regret that the Attorney General has undoubtedly abandoned part of his job and is now involved in 'executive racketeering' to the chagrin and dismay of patriotic Nigerians at home and abroad," he added.