Nnamdi Kanu Rejects Trial Under ‘Corrupt and Biased’ Judiciary, Vows to Remain in Detention
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that he would rather remain in detention indefinitely than be subjected to what he describes as a “corrupt and biased” judicial process.
In an open letter personally signed from his detention at the Department of State Services (DSS) and released through his Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu insisted that he would not submit to any trial unless it was before an impartial and constitutionally competent court.
“If it will take the rest of my life in detention to produce me before a proper and impartial court, so be it,” Kanu stated.
Allegations of Judicial Manipulation
Kanu accused the Nigerian government of orchestrating a pattern of judicial and executive fraud against him since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021. He recalled a 2017 Federal High Court ruling that declared IPOB was not an unlawful group but lamented that, instead of following legal procedures to appeal the judgment, the government unilaterally proscribed IPOB through an ex parte proceeding without due process.
He also referenced an October 26, 2022, ruling by a Federal High Court, which declared his extraordinary rendition and continued detention unconstitutional. The court condemned the Nigerian government’s actions, citing violations of his fundamental rights and ordering his release with compensation. However, Kanu noted that despite this ruling, the government refused to comply.
Additionally, he pointed to an October 13, 2022, decision by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that his rendition from Kenya stripped Nigerian courts of jurisdiction to try him. Instead of releasing him, he alleged that the government used backdoor tactics to secure a stay of execution on the ruling.
Supreme Court Ruling and Alleged Bias
Kanu further referenced the Supreme Court’s December 15, 2023, decision, which, while returning his case to the Federal High Court for trial, also held that the revocation of his bail was improper. He argued that despite this pronouncement, the court failed to reinstate his bail, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep him in detention under unfavorable conditions.
“In a sane society, one would expect that when the High Court received my case from the Supreme Court, it would be duty-bound to restore my bail in line with the pronouncement of the apex court,” he wrote.
Refusal to Stand Trial Under the Current Court
Kanu revealed that on September 24, 2024, he decided he would no longer engage in a legal process that he believes is rigged against him. He requested the recusal of the presiding judge due to concerns over bias, a request that was granted. However, he accused the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of colluding with the government to reassign his case to the same judge despite her recusal.
Expressing his distrust in the process, Kanu maintained that his case was being shielded from judges who might deliver fair rulings.
“To conclude this Open Letter, let me make it clear that it should in no way be construed to mean that there are no decent judges in Nigeria that can be trusted to deliver even-handed justice in my case. Instead, the issue is that my case is deliberately being shielded from judges and justices that are deemed to be committed to doing justice even when it means that the federal government must lose,” he wrote.
Implications of Kanu’s Stand
Kanu’s refusal to stand trial under the current court raises fresh legal and political questions. His continued detention despite multiple court rulings in his favor has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, IPOB supporters, and legal experts who argue that the Nigerian government is undermining its own judiciary.
With tensions between IPOB and the federal government already high, Kanu’s latest stance could further escalate the standoff, raising concerns about renewed agitation and potential unrest in the South-East.
The Nigerian government is yet to officially respond to Kanu’s open letter.
