American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent Urge President Tinubu to Release IPOB Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
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In an open letter addressed to Nigeria’s President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) have called for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The letter, dated February 26, 2025, was jointly signed by AVID President, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia, and Secretary, Dr. Godson Obiagwu.
The letter argued that the ongoing trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has transformed from a judicial matter to a political one, which falls within the executive prerogative of President Tinubu. AVID emphasized that the buck stops at the President’s table, urging him to take decisive action.
AVID’s request was based on several key points as the recalled that on October 26, 2022, the Federal High Court of Nigeria ruled against the illegality of Mr. Kanu’s extraordinary rendition.
The court held that the manner of his arrest and detention in Kenya, his continued detention in Abuja, and the inhuman and degrading treatment he endured amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights. The court’s judgment stated that the further detention of Mr. Kanu was arbitrary and that the Government of Nigeria had a binding obligation to release him.
The court stated, “the manner of arrest and detention of the Applicant (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) in Kenya, his continued detention in Abuja, his subjection to physical and mental trauma by the Respondents, the inhuman and degrading treatment meted out to the Applicant amounts to a brazen violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to dignity of his person and threat to life under Section 34 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
They also observed that in December 2023, the Supreme Court of Nigeria decided against Mr. Kanu’s initial detention, despite remitting his case to the Federal High Court for trial. The court highlighted that Mr. Kanu was on bail when his home was illegally invaded by heavily armed military officers, causing him to flee to secure his life. The court criticized the prosecution’s actions, stating that it was wrong to treat Mr. Kanu as having jumped bail when his absence was caused by the illegal invasion of his home.
The court stated, “The respondent (Mr. Kanu) was on bail and therefore in custody of the law when his home was illegally invaded by heavily armed military officers of the appellant (Federal Republic of Nigeria) causing him to flee from his home and the country to secure his life. In the face of such an attack, it was responsible for him to flee to secure his life and physical well-being. That is what any normal and reasonable human being would do in that circumstance to preserve his life and physical well-being.”
They equally noted that on January 19, 2022, the High Court of Abia rendered a judgment in favour of Mr. Kanu, acknowledging the military invasion of his residence and the violation of his fundamental rights. The court urged the Government of Nigeria to show commitment to a peaceful resolution of the matter.
The court stated, “The issue of the military invasion of [MAZI NNAMDI KANU’’s] residential abode and premises at Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Abia State on 10th September, 2017 by agents of [GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA] is so notorious and common knowledge that this Honorable Court cannot turn a blind eye to it. I am satisfied that [MAZI NNAMDI KANU] has proved the violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty and attempted violation of his right to life by [GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA] and or its agents and none of the Respondents in this Suit has shown any real justification for such conduct.”
The group as well recalled that in July 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council directed the Nigerian government to release Mr. Kanu and provide him with compensation for his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria. The council’s opinion is legally binding on Nigeria as a member of the United Nations.
The council stated, “The Working Group considers that, taking into account all the circumstances of the case, the appropriate remedy would be for the Government of Nigeria to release Mr. Kanu immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law.”
AVID concluded the letter by urging President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, either by restoring his unlawfully revoked bail or by discontinuing his prosecution. They emphasize that the matter has shifted from a legal to a political issue, and it is within the President’s authority to resolve it.
The letter ended with a note of gratitude for the President’s anticipated sound discretion in addressing this grave injustice and assured him of AVID’s abiding regards for his high office.
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