Sokoto, Nigeria – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has described his recent conviction on terrorism-related charges as legally unfounded, insisting that no individual can be convicted under a repealed law.
In a statement relayed through Prince Emmanuel Kanu and Dr Maxwell Opara following a visit to him at the Sokoto Medium Security Correctional Centre, the detained leader said his final written address – which focused on the right to a fair hearing – was denied by the court. He further alleged that evidence used to convict him had never been included in the original charge sheet nor formally presented as evidence against him.
Mr Kanu also criticised the court for relying on charges that had previously been struck out by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Upon reviewing the judgment, he claimed to have identified “numerous errors” that rendered the entire trial invalid.
The IPOB leader called on “well-meaning Nigerian justices, magistrates, and lawyers” to scrutinise the judgment and uphold both the laws of the land and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He highlighted what he described as a stark contradiction: courts in Umuahia, Enugu, the Court of Appeal, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and even the Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the laws under which he was charged had been repealed or required amendment, yet these rulings were disregarded in his latest trial.
Reading from Mr Kanu’s message, his representatives quoted him as saying: “I am Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who will reject injustice, unfairness, and evil against anybody regardless of your tribe, faith, or ethnic background. Injustice to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is injustice everywhere.”
He expressed gratitude to supporters, stating: “I remain thankful for all your supports, prayers, and your good thoughts. Elohim bless you all.”
Mr Kanu has been in detention since his rearrest and repatriation from Kenya in June 2021. His legal battles have seen multiple charges struck out or dismissed by various courts before the most recent conviction handed down by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Supporters of the IPOB leader maintain that the case represents political persecution, while the Nigerian government insists that Mr Kanu’s activities posed a threat to national security.
As of the time of writing, the Federal High Court judgment is subject to appeal, with Mr Kanu’s legal team expected to challenge the verdict in the coming weeks.
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