Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has broken his silence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges, insisting that the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court was fundamentally flawed and legally unsustainable.
Kanu, who is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Medium Security Prison, expressed deep reservations over what he described as a miscarriage of justice during a visit by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and his lawyer, Barrister Maxwell Opara. His comments were contained in a statement released on Sunday by Prince Emmanuel.
According to the statement, Kanu maintained that his constitutional right to a fair trial was violated when the court allegedly denied him the opportunity to submit his final written address a crucial stage of criminal proceedings that allows a defendant to summarize arguments and evidence in their favor.
He argued that the court based its decision on materials that were neither included in the charge sheet nor tendered as evidence. Even more disturbing, Kanu said, was the reliance on struck-out charges previously dismissed by Justice Binta Nyako.
Kanu insisted that his conviction lacked legal foundation because the law under which he was tried had already been repealed. He questioned why rulings from courts and international bodies including decisions from the Umuahia High Court, the Enugu Court of Appeal, the United Nations, and even the Supreme Court were ignored, despite affirming that the provisions used against him were outdated and required amendment.
After reviewing the judgment himself, Kanu reportedly identified “numerous discrepancies” that, in his view, rendered the trial invalid. He urged Nigerian judges, magistrates, and lawyers to examine the ruling with honesty and uphold the rule of law as provided by the Nigerian Constitution.
Expressing gratitude to individuals who have publicly rejected what they perceive as injustice, Kanu reaffirmed his commitment to fairness and equality.
“I, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will always stand against injustice, unfairness, and evil no matter your tribe, faith, or ethnicity,” he said, according to Prince Emmanuel. “Injustice done to me is injustice everywhere. I remain grateful for your prayers, your support, and your goodwill. May Elohim bless you all.”
Kanu’s latest remarks have once again sparked conversations about due process, human rights, and judicial integrity within Nigeria’s legal system. As his legal team prepares potential responses to the judgment, supporters are closely watching how the matter will unfold in the coming weeks.
