Former spokesman to ex–Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has said the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, does not appear willing to see his trial concluded in court.

Naijaonpoint reports that Akande stated this on Monday in a video shared via his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) page, stressing that a political solution may be the only way out for Kanu.

The comments come after Kanu, who had earlier disengaged his legal team and declared readiness to defend himself before Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court, made a U-turn during Monday’s proceedings, insisting the Federal Government had no valid charges against him.

Akande said, “The IPOB leader deserves a fair and prompt trial but while the Federal Government has also not managed this case properly, it’s becoming clear that Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t want this trial to be sorted out in a law court.”

He noted that Kanu’s shifting positions, from citing health concerns to offering self-defence and later recanting, suggested that the matter required a political resolution.

“First they said his health can’t take the trial but the doctor said no, he can withstand the trial. Then on Thursday, the man said he would defend himself. We should start looking at a political settlement indeed,” Akande said.

However, he added that such a settlement should not come without accountability.

Akande maintained that while the government should be open to compromise, Kanu must acknowledge and take responsibility for his past actions.

“That settlement should take into consideration how Kanu should be held responsible for some of his past ignoble deeds that are public knowledge, and he should at least apologise. This is a more noble line of action that he can pursue rather than trying to force certain politically exposed persons in his defence,” he said.

The former presidential aide concluded by urging the Federal Government to embrace a political compromise if Kanu is ready to take responsibility.

“The Federal Government should welcome a political compromise if Kanu is willing to apologise,” Akande stated.