Lawyer Declares Nnamdi Kanu’s Prosecution Unlawful, Criticizes Nigerian Government
Prominent human rights lawyer, Barrister Christopher Chidera, has strongly condemned the Nigerian government’s decision to restart the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Chidera argues that any attempt to prosecute Kanu under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 is legally indefensible, procedurally flawed, and morally unjustifiable. He insists that the section of the law being relied upon for the case is no longer active, rendering the prosecution invalid.
He further warned that if the government fails to seek a peaceful resolution by midnight on March 20, 2025, it risks exposing high-profile corruption, systemic failures, and injustices within the Nigerian judicial system.
In a statement issued over the weekend in Abuja, Chidera emphasized that Kanu’s trial highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s judicial system in cases involving self-determination.
He criticized the prosecution’s reliance on Section 98(3) of the TPPA 2022, which claims continuity of proceedings, arguing that a de novo trial is a fresh legal process and cannot serve as an extension of a previously discontinued case.
“Nigeria’s courts lack the substantive jurisdiction to try Kanu under a legal relic. Any attempt to do so constitutes a direct violation of his constitutional right to a fair hearing and protection from retroactive punishment,” Chidera stated.
Reports indicate that Kanu will personally defend himself in court on March 21, 2025, following the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako and the involvement of the Chief Justice of Nigeria in the case.
Legal analysts suggest that if Kanu proceeds with self-representation, the prosecution will face a significant challenge, as he will not only leverage legal expertise but also moral authority, resonating with his widespread supporters.
Chidera predicted that Kanu’s court appearance will expose deep flaws within Nigeria’s judiciary, revealing biases, inconsistencies, and political interference.
Calls for Peaceful Resolution
The statement urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon the prosecution and pursue a peaceful resolution before the March 20 deadline.
“Convicting Kanu is legally impossible and a political miscalculation of historic proportions,” Chidera warned, adding that forceful suppression will not silence the Biafran movement.
The case remains a defining test for Nigeria’s judiciary, as both national and international observers closely monitor its unfolding developments.
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