Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has renewed his demand for the immediate release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as the Federal High Court in Abuja prepares to deliver a crucial ruling in Kanu’s long-running terrorism trial.
In a strongly worded post on Thursday, Sowore described the day as one of “enormous significance,” warning that Nigeria’s justice system is on the verge of either correcting past failures or repeating “its own tragic history.” The court is expected to decide whether the charges brought against Kanu—rooted in his agitation for a separate state for the South-East—can stand.
Sowore argued that the case transcends legal technicalities, insisting that justice can only prevail if the court rises above what he called “federal might” and instead applies conscience, fairness, and respect for natural justice.
In the same message, the activist revealed that he, too, was appearing in court on Thursday, facing a lingering “cybercrime” charge filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of businessman and Senator, Ned Nwoko. The case stems from a 2021 dispute involving a viral altercation between Nwoko and aphrodisiac vendor, Jaruma.
According to Sowore, his intervention at the time was to prevent “injustice,” but he claimed the senator later attempted to weaponise the Cybercrime Act against him—a section of the law that he noted has since been deleted. He described the prolonged prosecution as “persecution,” alleging that police authorities had made repeated attempts to arraign him over a Sahara Reporters publication alleging wrongdoing by Nwoko’s foundation.
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Reflecting on his activism surrounding Kanu’s case, Sowore recalled leading a protest two weeks earlier to demand Kanu’s release, an act that resulted in his three-day detention at Kuje Prison. He maintained that the federal government’s approach to the IPOB leader’s incarceration is both dangerous and counterproductive.
As the court prepares to issue its ruling, Sowore reiterated his conviction that Kanu’s eventual freedom is “inevitable,” urging Nigerians and the international community to remain alert to the implications of Thursday’s proceedings.
The ruling is expected to shape the trajectory of one of the country’s most politically charged cases in recent years, with potential consequences for national unity, human rights, and the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system.