THIS DAWN — The Igbo Ekunie Initiative, a coalition of Nigerian professionals at home and abroad, has rejected the life imprisonment sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The group, in a statement, described the November 20, 2025, judgment as “a troubling departure from established appellate rulings and a threat to judicial integrity in Nigeria.”
The statement was signed by Chief Chigbo Uzokwelu, President, and Nze Ifeanyi Asiegbu, Secretary of the Igbo Ekunie Initiative.
Kanu was convicted on seven terrorism-related charges, receiving life terms on four counts.
‘Tempering justice with mercy’
The court ruled that his refusal to enter a defence—following his removal from the courtroom for alleged unruly conduct—left the prosecution’s evidence unchallenged.
Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, Justice Omotosho opted for life imprisonment, citing the need to “temper justice with mercy.”
However, Igbo Ekunie maintained that the ruling is fundamentally flawed.
The group argued that it contradicts the October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment which declared Kanu’s 2021 rendition from Kenya unlawful and ordered his release.
It stressed that the appellate court unequivocally discharged and acquitted Kanu on the basis that his forceful return to Nigeria violated international law, the African Charter, and Nigeria’s own extradition procedures.
The Initiative expressed concern that despite these findings, Kanu has remained in detention since 2021, and the Federal High Court proceeded with a trial that the appellate court had previously nullified.
His legal team has already filed a notice of appeal, alleging violations of constitutional rights guaranteed under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the court’s reliance on repealed provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
Legal Disputes and Contested Trial
Igbo Ekunie highlighted several core issues:
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Illegal Rendition (2021): Kanu was abducted in Kenya and returned to Nigeria without due process.
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Court of Appeal Decision (2022): The appellate court struck out the charges and ordered his release.
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Supreme Court Position (2023): The apex court affirmed the illegality of the rendition but remanded the case for retrial.
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Federal High Court Judgment (2025): Justice Omotosho convicted Kanu based on unchallenged prosecution evidence, emphasising alleged inciting broadcasts via Radio Biafra.
The group warned that the judgment raises profound questions about judicial consistency, hierarchy of courts, and Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights obligations under the African Charter.
Calls for Action
The Igbo Ekunie Initiative demanded:
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Immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu pending appeal, in line with the 2022 Court of Appeal order.
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Strict adherence to appellate and Supreme Court rulings on his rendition.
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A formal investigation into potential judicial non-compliance.
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International oversight from bodies such as the UN and AU.
The group also urged Igbo political leaders, especially those within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to pursue a political solution “similar to interventions secured for Sunday Igboho and others.”
