An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Onyedikachi Ifedi, has once again called on the Nigerian judiciary to uphold the principles of natural justice and the rule of law in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking on September 12, 2025, Ifedi criticized the Supreme Court’s December 15, 2023, ruling that has allowed the Federal Government to proceed with prosecuting Kanu on terrorism charges despite disputes over jurisdiction and procedure.
The lawyer described the Supreme Court verdict as a “catastrophic failure” of judicial duty, pointing out that it condoned what he termed the illegal kidnapping of Kanu from Kenya and violated international laws including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Ifedi warned that this judgment sets a dangerous precedent which threatens Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and constitutional governance.
The statement urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Senior Advocates of Nigeria, civil rights organizations, and the media to highlight the inherent dangers in the apex court’s decision in hopes of seeking its reversal.
Ifedi stressed that Kanu’s case has become the ultimate test of Nigeria’s adherence—or lack thereof—to fundamental legal principles and constitutional order.
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team has continued to challenge the charges, highlighting violations of his constitutional rights and irregularities in his detention and prosecution. The case remains highly controversial, with international attention on the fairness and transparency of Nigeria’s judiciary.
Kanu’s imprisonment and trial have drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and legal experts who argue the situation amounts to judicial overreach and calls for urgent reforms to safeguard justice and human dignity in the country.
The upcoming months are expected to be pivotal as the legal battles intensify, with wider implications for Nigeria’s judiciary and rule of law framework.
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