Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has raised a fresh alarm over his continued detention, calling on global powers to intervene before it is too late.
In a petition made available to the media, Kanu directly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump, the African Union (AU), and several international organizations to secure his release from what he described as “unlawful captivity” by the Nigerian State.
Global Appeal for Urgent Action
The petition was addressed to a wide range of world leaders and institutions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, the European Union, Amnesty International, the Red Cross, ECOWAS Court, South Africa, Israel, Japan, and other international bodies.
Kanu, who has been in custody since June 2021, argued that his detention breaches both Nigerian law and international human rights conventions.
Court Rulings and Legal Disputes
He faulted the Supreme Court’s December 15, 2023 judgment, which reversed his earlier discharge and acquittal by the Court of Appeal on October 13, 2022.
The Court of Appeal had previously ruled that his extraordinary rendition from Kenya was illegal and struck out all charges filed at the Federal High Court. However, the same court granted what Kanu described as an “illegal stay of execution” on October 28, 2022, a move he said prolonged his incarceration.
“This decision is a barbaric and unlawful act unknown in criminal law anywhere in the world. It represents constitutional criminality of the highest order,” Kanu stated, insisting that no legal system permits a stay of execution in criminal cases.
Claims of Unlawful Detention
According to him, from October 2022 until December 2023, he was held without charges, in violation of Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He described the Supreme Court’s ruling as unconstitutional and a case of double jeopardy. Kanu also accused the Nigerian judiciary of political bias, citing previous reports by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights which documented alleged discrimination against IPOB members.
UK Accused of Complicity
Kanu, a British citizen, criticized the United Kingdom for what he called a failure to protect him. He alleged that the UK’s silence had encouraged Nigeria’s continued violation of his rights.
Call for International Intervention
In his petition, Kanu urged world powers to pressure Nigeria to respect the Court of Appeal’s ruling of October 2022, declare the October 28 stay illegal, and enforce his immediate release.
“I respectfully request urgent intervention to restore constitutional order, nullify my arbitrary detention, and secure my release. Anything short of this endangers my life and encourages persecution through judicial lawlessness,” he warned.
Growing Concern Over His Safety
The IPOB leader concluded his appeal by stressing that his life remains at risk under detention and called for swift global action to prevent what he described as a looming tragedy.
What you need know Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention
Q: Why is Nnamdi Kanu in detention?
A: Nnamdi Kanu has been in custody since June 2021 after his extraordinary rendition from Kenya. The Nigerian government accuses him of terrorism-related charges linked to his role as leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu, however, maintains that his arrest and detention are unlawful and politically motivated.
Q: What did the Court of Appeal rule about Nnamdi Kanu’s case?
A: On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu. The court also declared his rendition from Kenya illegal and dismissed all charges filed against him. Despite this, the same court later granted a stay of execution on October 28, 2022, which kept him in detention.
Q: What was the Supreme Court’s decision in December 2023?
A: On December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s ruling, allowing the Federal Government to continue Kanu’s trial. Kanu and his legal team have described the judgment as unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Q: Why is Nnamdi Kanu appealing to international bodies?
A: Kanu has petitioned the U.S., African Union, European Union, and other global powers because he believes Nigeria has violated both domestic and international laws in his case. He seeks international pressure to enforce the Court of Appeal’s earlier ruling and secure his release.
Q: What role has the United Kingdom played in the case?
A: Kanu, who holds British citizenship, has accused the United Kingdom of failing to act on his behalf. He argues that the UK’s silence has allowed Nigeria to continue detaining him in violation of his rights.
Q: What risks does Nnamdi Kanu face in detention?
A: In his latest petition, Kanu warned that his continued detention poses serious threats to his life. He described his situation as “persecution sustained through judicial lawlessness” and called for urgent global intervention.
