The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has renewed calls for the Nigerian government to review the ongoing trial of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, following a recent ruling by a High Court in Kenya which found that Kanu’s 2021 arrest and transfer to Nigeria violated international and constitutional laws.
In a statement released Sunday and signed by Barrister Onyedikachi Ifedi, IPOB’s Director of Legal Affairs, Research and Global Communications, the group hailed the Kenyan ruling as a major legal milestone that demands “fresh scrutiny” of Kanu’s detention and prosecution.
According to IPOB, the Kenyan court determined that Kanu’s transfer to Nigeria did not follow proper extradition procedures, including the required hearing before a competent court — a key element of international law and due process. IPOB argued that this undermines the legal foundation of his trial currently ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Citing Section 2(3)(f)(ii) of Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, IPOB contended that unlawful cross-border transfers, especially those carried out in breach of international treaties, are classified as serious offenses under Nigerian law. It also referenced Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which prohibits the expulsion of legal residents from a country without due process.
The group urged Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over Kanu’s case in Abuja, to formally consider the implications of the Kenyan judgment and invite both prosecution and defense to address its legal significance.
“This is not about political considerations,” the statement read, “but about upholding constitutional safeguards and respecting international legal obligations.”
IPOB reiterated its long-standing claim that Kanu was illegally abducted and his rights gravely violated, but it also called for judicial reflection rather than confrontation. The group encouraged the Nigerian judiciary and federal authorities to handle the case with “transparency and fairness,” suggesting a diplomatic and legal approach would better serve the country’s image and stability.
The statement also referenced prior domestic rulings, including a Federal High Court decision in Umuahia, which IPOB said supports the argument that Kanu’s detention is unlawful.
Kanu’s 2021 arrest in Kenya and subsequent transfer to Nigeria have sparked widespread legal, diplomatic, and political controversy. While the Nigerian government maintains that he was lawfully brought back to face charges including terrorism and treasonable felony, the Kenyan court’s latest ruling adds a new layer of complexity to an already contentious trial with significant implications for Nigeria’s legal obligations and international reputation.
