The lawyer representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has urged that no one should beg for his release, asserting that his client has committed no crime.
Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, made this declaration in a statement on Saturday titled “Upholding the Rule of Law Is More Important to Me Than Anything Else.” Ejimakor emphasized that Kanu’s release should be grounded in legal principles, not an act of clemency or mercy.
Kanu, while grateful for the widespread calls for his release, maintains that both the Federal High Court of Nigeria and international tribunals have ruled his detention unlawful. As such, he insists that the government must respect these legal rulings and release him without condition.
“The issue of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not a matter of mercy, pardon, executive clemency, or even amnesty,” the statement read.
“It is simply about complying with the existing Federal High Court judgment, which declared his detention unconstitutional, and the decisions of international tribunals, which also declared his detention unlawful.”
Ejimakor further highlighted that Kanu is adamant that his case is not one that warrants clemency, as he insists he has committed no crime.
“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu firmly believes no one should plead on his behalf because he has committed no crime. Self-determination, which has been wrongly criminalized, is an inalienable right protected under Nigerian law, international law, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and Kenya,” the statement continued.
Ejimakor cautioned against encouraging the unlawful criminalization of Kanu’s exercise of this right through misplaced calls for clemency or mercy. He stressed that releasing Kanu should be viewed as a matter of adhering to the rule of law, not an act of forgiveness.
The lawyer also warned that calls for clemency could be perceived as an admission of guilt, potentially empowering the executive branch and the judiciary to continue what he described as an unlawful prosecution.
“While the calls for his release are sincere, they risk being misinterpreted as a signal to the executive branch or the courts to persist in violating the rule of law, continuing a prosecution that contradicts Nigeria’s Constitution and international treaty obligations,” Ejimakor stated.
Instead of pleading, Kanu’s supporters are urged to adopt the stance taken by groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze, the World Igbo Congress, members of the National Assembly, and international bodies, all of whom have affirmed that Kanu has committed no offense and should be freed.
“Rather than begging, those calling for his release should follow the example of Afenifere, Ohanaeze, the World Igbo Congress, prominent members of the National Assembly, American Military Veterans of Igbo descent, Ambassadors for Self-Determination, the international community, and many others who have made it clear that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be freed as he has committed no crime known to law.”
Ejimakor also pointed out that it is the Nigerian government, which forcibly renditioned Kanu, that should be held accountable for the illegal act, a violation of both international law and common law.
“If anyone is to plead, it should be directed at the courts, to ensure that Kanu’s case, and those related to IPOB, are handled impartially and in accordance with the rule of law,” he added.
Kanu also expressed gratitude to those working toward restoring peace and order in his homeland, Igboland.
Last week, PUNCH Online reported that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, joined the growing calls for Kanu’s release, urging President Bola Tinubu to facilitate his freedom in the interest of peace in the South-East.
Kanu is also scheduled to appear before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, following his request to have his case moved to the South-East, should no other judge in Abuja be willing to hear it apart from Justice Nyako.
