‘Nigerian Govt both terrorist and prosecutor in Nnamdi Kanu’s case’ – Lawyer

A Nigerian lawyer has accused the government of being both the terrorist and prosecutor in the case of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. Christopher Chidera, the lawyer, made the claim in a petition to the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He argued that the Supreme Court's decision to continue Kanu's trial, despite his acquittal by the Court of Appeal, demonstrated the Nigerian government's dual role as both terrorist and prosecutor.

Chidera pointed to the Supreme Court's finding that Nigerian agents had kidnapped and subjected Kanu to extraordinary rendition, describing their actions as "prohibited by law" and "unfair and oppressive." He also cited Kenyan and Nigerian laws, as well as the Supreme Court's own ruling, to support his claim. Chidera argued that the Nigerian government's actions were kidnapping under Kenyan law and terrorism under Nigerian law, and that the state cannot be both the perpetrator and accuser.

The lawyer stressed that the Supreme Court's ruling on December 15, 2023, was based on "six fundamental legal errors" and that the trial's consequences have impacted Kanu's conviction.