“Stop Pleading for My Release, Struggle for Self-Determination Not a Crime” – Nnamdi Kanu

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has urged those calling for his release to desist, asserting that his advocacy for self-determination is not a crime.

In a statement released on his behalf by his legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu reiterated that he has not committed treason as alleged by the Federal Government. He insisted that self-determination is a right enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and recognized under international law.

While acknowledging the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians advocating for his freedom, Kanu maintained that his release should not be framed as an act of clemency. Instead, he argued that the Federal Government must comply with a court ruling that has already declared his detention unconstitutional and unlawful. He also suggested that the government could end his prosecution entirely.

Kanu urged his supporters to stop pleading for his release, emphasizing that his demand for self-determination should not be criminalized. He pointed out that similar rights are upheld under Nigerian law, as well as in the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.

The statement further warned that calls for clemency might be misinterpreted as legitimizing a trial that contradicts constitutional principles and Nigeria’s international treaty obligations. Instead of pleading, Kanu advised that supporters adopt the approach of organizations such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze, World Igbo Congress, and American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), who have argued that he should be freed because he has committed no legal offense.

Additionally, the statement condemned the Nigerian government’s role in Kanu’s extraordinary rendition, describing it as a state crime under both international and common law. If any appeals are to be made, Kanu suggested they should be directed at the courts, urging them to uphold the rule of law with impartiality and fairness.

He concluded by expressing his gratitude to those working to restore security and stability in the South-East, reaffirming his commitment to justice and the rights of his people.