The Federal Government may consider all kinds of solutions, including political ones, in order to resolve the crisis surrounding separatist agitations in Nigeria.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), gave the indication on Wednesday in an interview with journalists in Abuja on the pardon granted to Boko Haram insurgents while leaders of other separatist movements are facing prosecution.
When journalists sought to know whether the Federal Government was not disposed to a political solution to the separatist agitations of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu; and Yoruba nationalist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, Malami said although such consideration was not yet on the table, the government would not mind taking a shot at it.
Igboho – the Yoruba nation promoter —escaped being arrested by security operatives from his Ibadan home before he fled to the Republic of Benin, where is being detained.
Kanu, who was accused of engaging in activities capable of destabilising the country, has been charged with terrorism and treasonable felony.
His trial was yesterday adjourned to January 19, next year.
Malami said: “Well, as far as securities situation is concerned, as far as governance is concerned, and administration, you cannot rule out all possibilities.
“But, crime is a crime. When there are criminal under tones associated with certain conduct, you cannot take away the right of the government to take steps with particular regard to ensuring that the people that are in one way or the other operating in breach are brought to book.”
The AGF, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, said the issue of pardon was not limited to repentant Boko Haram members, but could be extended to deserving cases.
He said: “Generally speaking, that is why I am telling you that no possibility is ruled out. But then, there has to be an approach for the government to consider.
“So, I cannot be pre-emptive in telling you clearly and outrightly that reconciliation perhaps, is being considered without an approach to be made.
“It is the approach to be made. If at all any is made, that we will look into for the purpose of looking at its weight, the authenticity of it, the good fate associated with it, and then perhaps bring about the considerable factors related to the negotiations or otherwise.
“So, it is not a conclusion that one can outright make without juxtaposing associated facts relating to the reconciliation.
“You cannot operate a conciliatory approach in the blues. It is never one sided. There has to be an approach and then a counter concentration.
“So, no approach in that respect is on the table for consideration yet. So, we will cross the bridge when eventually we get to that; when a perhaps a type of request is made, we will consider it.”
On why the Mambila Power Project was still being held down, Malami said the remaining obstacle to the project has been removed.
He said the arbitration commenced against Nigeria by Sunrise Power Transmission Company of Nigeria Ltd as been discontinued.
“Well for the Sunrise, perhaps one good information or perhaps the hope for celebration that I wish to present for your consideration is the fact that Sunrise has indeed withdrawn its pending arbitral proceedings in respect of which it was claiming against the interests of the Federal Government an amount in the region of around $1 billion.
“So, the information that calls for celebration is the fact that there is no any pending impediment relating to Mambilla project with the discontinuation of the Sunrise proceedings in Paris,” the minister said
