By Okafor Joseph Afam
September 24, 2024

As the Nigerian government prepares to re-arraign the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, the group has once again called for his unconditional release, warning of dire consequences if the government fails to comply with court orders.

In a statement issued Monday night by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group labeled Kanu’s ongoing detention as an act of political and ethnic persecution. IPOB claims that the detention is part of a wider strategy to weaken the Igbo people’s resolve in their pursuit of self-determination.

“The Noble family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by the great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu, hereby brings to the attention of the public that the Nigerian Government will continue the kangaroo persecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in another court sitting on 24th September 2024,” the statement began.

According to IPOB, the Nigerian government has no legal basis for prosecuting Kanu, referencing a subsisting judgement from the Court of Appeal that dismissed all charges against him and ordered his release. The group argues that Kanu’s extradition from Kenya to Nigeria violated international laws on kidnapping and rendition, further undermining the legitimacy of his detention.

“Even the Supreme Court of Nigeria condemned his kidnap and rendition from Kenya,” the statement continued, “but fear of threats from the Executive government has prevented the Court from affirming the Appeal Court’s courageous judgement.”

Powerful stressed that Kanu’s detention is illegal under both Nigerian and international law, as the UN laws and African People’s Right Charter recognize the right to self-determination. IPOB reiterated that its leader had committed no crime either locally or internationally, with multiple court rulings backing his release.

The statement also condemned the government’s handling of Kanu’s health, saying, “Even when his health is deteriorating in the illegal solitary confinement of DSS, the Nigerian Government is adamant to release him as the courts have said.”

In addition, IPOB expressed concerns over the alleged bias of Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over the case. The group accused the Nigerian government of manipulating her through threats linked to corruption charges against her husband. IPOB demanded that she recuse herself from the case, warning that continued bias could escalate tensions.

The group also had strong words for Igbo politicians allegedly working against Kanu’s release. “We know you all. Do not invite a crisis that will destroy you and your entire generation. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not your problem, but Nigeria is your problem.”

In a final warning, IPOB stated that the Nigerian government’s refusal to release Kanu could trigger a crisis capable of destabilizing the country. “We demand his unconditional release because self-determination is not a crime. IPOB has chosen a peaceful approach in our quest for Biafra, but that doesn’t mean we can’t bite deeply if provoked beyond measure.”

The group called on the government to “stop all ethnic persecutions, obey your court judgement, and release our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”