A Christian cleric, Archbishop Emmanuel Jatau, has appealed to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa to consider humanitarian grounds in the detention of Mr Abdulkarim Mai’yau, popularly known as “Oscar Keana”.
Mai’yau is standing trial before the Federal High Court, Lafia, over publications purportedly made against the governor.
Jatau, Founder of Faith Hill Prophetic Assembly, Piwoyi, Abuja, made the appeal in a letter of supplication dated Oct. 7, addressed to the governor and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia
The cleric said that he had never met Mai’yau personally and was making the appeal without any personal interest in the matter.
He acknowledged Sule’s right to seek lawful redress over issues affecting his personal reputation and public office, but appealed to him to exercise restraint where the law permitted.
“Leadership also presents an opportunity to exercise restraint where the law permits and to leave room for reconciliation,” Jatau said.
He said he was not seeking to determine the truth or otherwise of the allegations against the governor, noting that such responsibility rested with the court.
“I write instead to appeal directly to Your Excellency’s sense of humanity and statesmanship,” he said.
Jatau urged the governor to consider Mai’yau’s circumstances, family and welfare without prejudice to the ongoing case or compromising the authority of the court.
He appealed for bail, release on appropriate conditions or other lawful humanitarian arrangements, where permissible, to enable Mai’yau to respond to the allegations while remaining subject to the judicial process.
According to him, such consideration would neither amount to a pronouncement on Mai’yau’s innocence nor diminish the governor’s right to seek redress.
He said it would, however, demonstrate magnanimity and restraint in the face of personal grievances.
The cleric described Nasarawa as a common home for all residents and urged stakeholders to ensure that disagreements did not permanently divide the people.
Jatau said the situation provided an opportunity for government and religious leaders to demonstrate that serious differences could be addressed through wisdom, restraint, dialogue and commitment to peace.
He prayed for wisdom, discernment and peace for Sule as he considered the appeal.
The cleric, who is an indigene of Nasarawa State, reiterated that his intervention was based on humanitarian considerations and not on any personal relationship with Mai’yau. (NAN)
