Lagos, Nigeria – 9 October 2025 – Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly called for the release or fair prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), labelling his ongoing detention as a blemish on the nation’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) shared on Thursday, Mr Abubakar expressed his full support for a campaign spearheaded by activist and publisher Yele Sowore aimed at securing Kanu’s freedom. He criticised the government’s defiance of court orders granting bail to Kanu, describing it as an “abuse of power and an assault on justice.”
“The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains an open sore on our nation’s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law,” Mr Abubakar wrote. “Defying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice. I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution. We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
Kanu, a British-Nigerian separatist leader, was arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and extradited to Nigeria, where he faces charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement. His detention has sparked widespread protests and international scrutiny, with human rights groups accusing the Nigerian authorities of violating due process. Multiple court rulings have ordered his release on bail, but these have reportedly been ignored by the government.
Mr Sowore, the founder of Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate, has been at the forefront of efforts to highlight Kanu’s plight. His campaign has garnered support from various political figures and civil society organisations, emphasising the need for adherence to legal standards in handling such cases.
Mr Abubakar’s intervention comes amid growing calls for national reconciliation in Nigeria, a country grappling with ethnic tensions and security challenges. As a prominent opposition figure and the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, his stance could influence public discourse on the matter.
Neither the Nigerian government nor representatives for Kanu have immediately responded to Mr Abubakar’s comments. The case continues to divide opinions, with some viewing Kanu as a freedom fighter and others as a threat to national unity.
This development underscores the ongoing debate over justice and human rights in Nigeria, as the nation seeks to address its deep-seated divisions.
