The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the Nigerian authorities to revisit the trial of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, following a judgment by a Kenyan High Court.
The court ruled that Kanu’s 2021 arrest and subsequent transfer from Kenya to Nigeria violated both international law and constitutional standards.
In a release signed by Onyedikachi Ifedi, IPOB’s Director of Legal Affairs, Research and Global Communications, the group welcomed the ruling, saying it signaled the need for a fresh look at the legal proceedings against Kanu.
IPOB stressed that the Kenyan court found no evidence of proper legal channels being followed in Kanu’s transfer, noting the lack of a formal extradition process.
The group said this calls into question the legal basis for Kanu’s ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Citing Section 2(3)(f)(ii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, IPOB highlighted that unlawful cross-border movement without adherence to treaties is a punishable offense.
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It further argued that Nigerian courts should weigh the Kenyan judgment carefully when considering the broader legal framework of the case.
IPOB also drew attention to Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which bars the expulsion of any legally resident individual unless done lawfully.
The group urged Justice James Omotosho, who is handling the trial, to permit both the prosecution and defence to address how the Kenyan court’s verdict might affect the ongoing proceedings.
“This is not about political considerations but about upholding constitutional safeguards and respecting international legal obligations,” IPOB concluded.