Kanu Accuses Nigerian Government and Judiciary of “Serial Fraud” in Ongoing Trial

Nnamdi Kanu Alleges Systematic Judicial Fraud and Government Conspiracy, Cites Ignored Court Rulings, Unlawful Detention, and Denial of Fair Trial

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has leveled serious allegations against the Nigerian government and judiciary, claiming a pattern of “executive and judicial fraud” designed to obstruct justice in his ongoing trial. In a lengthy open letter addressed to the Nigerian public, Kanu detailed a series of legal challenges and alleged manipulations, arguing that his 2021 extraordinary rendition from Kenya was illegal and that subsequent court proceedings have been riddled with irregularities aimed at prolonging his detention.

Kanu’s claims center around several key points. He highlights a 2017 Federal High Court ruling that declared IPOB not an unlawful group, a decision he says was widely publicized at the time. He argues that this ruling, obtained through criminal proceedings requiring “proof beyond reasonable doubt,” was deliberately circumvented by the government. Instead of appealing the ruling, Kanu alleges that the then Attorney-General, in collaboration with the late Abba Kyari, orchestrated an ex parte proscription of IPOB, effectively labeling it a terrorist organization without any input from IPOB or himself. Kanu describes this as the “earliest sign” of collusion between the government and judiciary to deny him his rights.

He further points to a 2022 Federal High Court ruling that declared his rendition and detention unconstitutional, ordering the government to apologize and pay compensation. Kanu contends that this ruling, which recognized the “brazen violation” of his fundamental rights, was simply ignored by the government. He also cites a Court of Appeal ruling that condemned “executive lawlessness” in his case, stating that his rendition from Kenya effectively stripped Nigerian courts of jurisdiction to try him. Despite this clear ruling, Kanu claims the government refused to release him and instead influenced a panel of judges to issue a “stay of execution,” a move he deems “abominable” given the government’s prior disobedience of court orders.

Kanu also raises concerns about the Supreme Court’s decision to send his case back to the Federal High Court for trial. While acknowledging this decision, he emphasizes that the Supreme Court also ruled his bail should not have been revoked, citing “significant and unacceptable bias” on the part of the original trial judge. He argues that upon receiving the case, the Federal High Court was obligated to reinstate his bail, which he claims did not happen due to collusion with the government.

More recently, Kanu requested the recusal of the trial judge, a request that was granted. However, he alleges that instead of assigning his case to a new, impartial judge, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, in collaboration with the government, reassigned the case back to the recused judge. This, he argues, further demonstrates the deliberate attempt to deny him a fair trial.

In his concluding remarks, Kanu clarifies that his accusations are not a blanket condemnation of the entire Nigerian judiciary. He believes there are judges who would uphold justice in his case. However, he argues that his case is being deliberately shielded from these impartial judges, assigned instead to those perceived as aligned with the government’s agenda. Kanu states that he is prepared to remain in detention indefinitely if that is what it takes to be brought before a fair and impartial court. He vows to resist any trial conducted by a judge or court whose jurisdiction he deems unconstitutional. His open letter serves as a public declaration of his grievances and a call for transparency and accountability in his ongoing legal battle.

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