Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally requested the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to address his legal case during their 2025 Annual General Conference in Enugu State. In a letter dated August 18, 2025, and received by the NBA’s national secretariat on August 22, 2025, Kanu characterizes his ongoing legal battles as a “bill of indictment” against a segment of the Nigerian judiciary, alleging that courts have been instrumentalized to perpetuate injustice and impunity in his case. He emphasizes the urgency of the matter, not solely for his personal plight but for the integrity of the Nigerian legal system, claiming his case represents a critical juncture where the rule of law is being severely undermined.

Kanu underscores that his organization, IPOB, is a legally registered human rights entity operating in over 18 countries, advocating peacefully for the right to self-determination for Biafra. He contends that his detention and ongoing legal proceedings represent a gross violation of fundamental human rights, both domestically and internationally. The letter meticulously outlines a series of alleged legal infractions, claiming the core principles of fair hearing and due process, enshrined in both Nigerian law and international human rights instruments, have been systematically disregarded in his case. He emphasizes that these violations are not mere technicalities but represent a profound assault on the foundations of justice.

The IPOB leader highlights the incongruity of his situation given the numerous authoritative bodies, including the Nigerian Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, Kenyan High Court, UN Special Rapporteur, and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, that have confirmed his illegal abduction, torture, and extraordinary rendition from Kenya. He argues that despite these affirmations from esteemed judicial and international bodies, the Nigerian legal process continues to ignore these findings, thereby perpetuating a cycle of injustice. He specifically cites the use of civil procedures to circumvent criminal law and the resurrection of repealed statutes as blatant disregard for legal norms.

Kanu’s letter further details a series of legal irregularities in his case, implicating specific judges in these alleged violations. His petition to the NBA is a call to action, urging the association, as a guardian of the legal profession, to thoroughly investigate his claims and hold errant judges accountable. He requests the NBA to issue a public report condemning the misuse of legal procedures and reaffirm that no Nigerian should be subject to arbitrary detention or trial under repealed laws. Kanu believes that such decisive action by the NBA is crucial to restore public confidence in the bar and bench.

The crux of Kanu’s plea to the NBA is the broader implications of his case for the Nigerian legal system. He argues that his situation is not just about his individual plight but a test of whether the Nigerian judiciary is truly governed by the rule of law or by impunity. He frames his case as a litmus test for the integrity of the entire legal system, emphasizing that the observed violations of the constitution, statutes, and international treaties represent a dangerous precedent that threatens the foundations of justice in Nigeria.

By invoking the maxim “Qui tacet consentire videtur” – silence implies consent – Kanu warns the NBA against remaining silent on this issue. He stresses that inaction on the part of the bar would make them complicit in the erosion of Nigeria’s legal framework. He therefore implores the NBA to discuss his case prominently at their 2025 Annual General Conference, using it as a crucial example of the urgent need to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. He believes that addressing his case at the conference will not only send a strong message about the importance of due process and fair trial but also help prevent future instances of such legal abuses.

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