Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on Nigerian magistrates, judges, and lawyers to thoroughly reexamine the judgment that led to his conviction, insisting that the decision has no legal basis.
He made the appeal while receiving his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and human rights lawyer, Dr. Maxwell Opara, during a visit at the Sokoto Medium Security Prison.
According to his brother and lawyer, Kanu maintained that the conviction was unlawful, stressing that no individual can be legally convicted under a law that has already been repealed. He further stated that his final written address, which highlighted his constitutional right to a fair hearing, was ignored during the judicial process.
Kanu also criticised the court for relying on evidence that was neither listed in the charge sheet nor formally presented against him. He described the court’s dependence on previously struck-out charges by Justice Binta Nyako as a serious procedural violation that undermined the integrity of the trial.
He appealed to members of the Nigerian judiciary to uphold the rule of law and remain committed to fairness and impartiality. Kanu questioned the contradictions between his recent judgment and earlier rulings from the Umuahia High Court, the Enugu Court of Appeal, the United Nations, and the Supreme Court, all of which, according to him, acknowledged that the laws used in his prosecution had already been repealed.
The IPOB leader reaffirmed his commitment to justice, stating, “I remain committed to rejecting injustice, unfairness, and evil against anyone, regardless of tribe, faith, or ethnicity.” He expressed appreciation to individuals and groups who have continued to recognise the irregularities in his case and extended support to him.
Kanu’s renewed call for judicial review adds to ongoing concerns about procedural fairness in high-profile cases across Nigeria. His supporters and legal team continue to insist that his conviction requires independent scrutiny to ensure that due process is fully upheld.
