The South East Revival Group (SERG) has rejected the conviction of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing Thursday’s judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as “a constitutional disaster and an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.”
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja and signed by its National Director of Publicity, Rt. Hon. Evang. Nnaemeka Aleke, SERG said the ruling amounted to “judicial aberration, judicial haste, and judicial aggression,” insisting that the court ignored unresolved jurisdictional issues, pending appeals, and fundamental constitutional safeguards.
According to the group, the conviction is fundamentally illegitimate because the terrorism charges were framed under the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act of 2013—despite the existence of a new and current law, the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022. SERG argued that Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution prohibits convicting any Nigerian for an offence that is not defined under an existing law.
“It is legally absurd and constitutionally void to convict anyone under a law that no longer exists,” the group said. “This judgment places speed above justice, and convenience above constitutionality.”
SERG also accused Justice Omotosho of deliberately avoiding unresolved legal questions, pointing out that he delivered the judgment despite being notified of multiple pending appeals and motions before the Court of Appeal. The organisation said this constituted a direct violation of established criminal procedure, stressing that no court can proceed when its jurisdiction is in dispute.
On the judge’s claim that Kanu refused to open his defence, SERG countered that the IPOB leader merely insisted that the legality of the charges be resolved first—an action the group said aligns with Nigeria’s criminal justice principles.
“This ruling is not only defective; it violates Section 36 of the Constitution on fair hearing and ignores binding appellate precedents,” SERG added. “It risks inflaming tensions across the South East and eroding public confidence in the judiciary.”
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The organisation called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to probe Justice Omotosho’s conduct and urged the Court of Appeal to immediately overturn the ruling to “restore constitutional order and prevent further national destabilisation.”
“The judgment offends the law, logic, and the conscience of the nation,” Aleke declared. “It must not stand.”
SERG insisted that the decision represents a “dangerous subversion of constitutional democracy” and warned that allowing the conviction to remain would set a perilous precedent for the rule of law in Nigeria.