Radio Biafra's Nnamdi Kanu freed as DSS drops charges against him in political deal

RADIO Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu has been freed by an Abuja Magistrates Court after the Department of State Services (DSS) decided to drop all three charges it had prepared and levelled against him.

 

In a clear sign that the government has heeded calls for a political solution to the matter, state prosecutors have opted to stop legal proceedings against Mr Kanu. He was arrested earlier this year by DSS operatives after arriving from London and his arrest sparked off a series of demonstrations across Igboland as thousands of youths marched calling for his release.

 

Mr Kanu was standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society. Following his arrest and arraignment, however, wise old heads have been meeting to try and find a political solution to the crisis in the hope of avoiding another flashpoint.

 

Igbo leaders, state governors from across the southeast and Ohaneze Ndigbo elders have all been involved in a series of meetings lately. They have been applying pressure on the government to drop the charges and address several of the socio-economic problems in the southeast like poor roads, unemployment and the feeling of marginalisation.