The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly criticized All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Josef Onoh, over his comments on the detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Onoh, a former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign in the South-East, had argued that IPOB’s threats and statements were standing in the way of efforts to free Kanu. He described warnings issued by the group as “inflammatory” and harmful to ongoing mediation.
But IPOB dismissed his claims, calling them “unfortunate” and proof that Onoh is “misinformed.”
IPOB Counters Onoh’s Claims
In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group accused Onoh of trying to twist facts while ignoring the government’s alleged disregard for the law.
According to IPOB, Kanu was discharged and acquitted by a competent court, yet he remains in detention. The group said his planned retrial on October 26, 2025, is unconstitutional and amounts to double jeopardy.
“In any democracy, no citizen should face trial twice for the same offence,” Powerful said. “Rather than telling IPOB to beg, Onoh should be demanding that the government obey its own laws.”
Trial Under Repealed Law
The group further argued that the current case is being pursued under a repealed law. IPOB pointed out that the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2013 was replaced by the TPPA 2022, making the proceedings illegal.
“Running a trial under a dead law is unconstitutional and an embarrassment to the judiciary,” Powerful noted.
The group also alleged that the state was attempting to impose criminal liability on Kanu through civil ex parte orders, which it described as a violation of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing fair hearing.
“No law anywhere allows criminal conviction to come from civil procedures. This is another abuse Onoh has failed to understand,” IPOB added.
Lack of Jurisdiction
IPOB also questioned the legality of Kanu’s rendition from Kenya. Citing the TPPA 2022, the group said Nigeria never sought the required approval from a Kenyan court for cross-border prosecution.
“On this ground alone, Justice Omotosho lacks jurisdiction from the very beginning,” Powerful argued.
Government Accused of Lawlessness
The group maintained that Kanu’s prolonged detention was not caused by IPOB’s actions but by a government “that refuses to follow its own Constitution and statutory laws.”
Powerful added that instead of criticizing IPOB, Onoh and others should focus on holding Nigeria and Britain accountable for keeping Kanu behind bars for nearly five years.
“IPOB will continue to defend our leader with facts, law, and truth until justice is done,” Powerful declared.
