Fearless Sowore Surprises All with New Statements on Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention

In a recent discussion, Omoyele Sowore, who ran as the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in Nigeria’ s 2023 elections, criticized the ongoing detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).....Read Full Article>>

Sowore contended that Kanu’ s continued imprisonment highlights a significant issue within Nigeria— the nation’ s unresolved tensions with the Igbo ethnic group. Speaking on ” 90Minutes Africa” with Rudolf Okonkwo, he suggested that Kanu’ s situation is a reflection of the historical injustices faced by the Igbo since the Nigerian Civil War.

Sowore likened the government’ s stance towards the Igbo to a dying parent’ s last words about their children, implying that deep- seated biases persist. He emphasized that Kanu’ s plight is not merely an isolated case but part of a broader narrative of discrimination against the Igbo people.

Kanu’ s troubles began in 2017 when he fled Nigeria while on bail for terrorism charges following a military raid on his home. His return to Nigeria was fraught with controversy; he was apprehended in Kenya in June 2021 through a joint operation involving Interpol and Nigerian authorities, an act Sowore described as extraordinary rendition.

In October 2022, an Abuja Court of Appeal ruled that Kanu’ s extradition was unlawful and ordered his immediate release. Despite this ruling, the Nigerian government has appealed to the Supreme Court and continues to detain him.

While the Supreme Court acknowledged the illegality of Kanu’ s extradition, it ruled that this alone did not justify his release. As a result, Kanu remains in custody, facing multiple terrorism- related charges at the Federal High Court. This situation raises concerns about the independence of Nigeria’ s judiciary and its vulnerability to political pressures.

He also pointed to potential complicity among certain influential Igbo figures in Kanu’ s ongoing detention. Sowore recalled instances where discussions about Kanu’ s release were postponed until after elections, suggesting that these delays have exacerbated his circumstances.

Expressing doubt about Kanu receiving fair treatment from Nigeria’ s judicial system, Sowore stated that justice for Kanu seems unlikely as long as political dynamics remain unchanged. ” Kanu is effectively a prisoner of whoever holds the presidency, ” he noted, adding that his condition is reported directly to the president on a daily basis. ”

There is little chance he will find justice in court unless the Nigerian State chooses to release him. ” This perspective underscores Sowore’ s broader concerns regarding governance and human rights in Nigeria, particularly how political authority can influence individual rights and judicial outcomes.