‘Nigerian govt should admit wrongdoing’ – Ejimakor reacts to US report on Nnamdi Kanu

In response to the recent US report regarding Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, called upon the Nigerian government to acknowledge its errors in Kanu’s trial and swiftly bring the prosecution to a close. The US report highlighted violations of Kanu’s rights during his arrest and extradition, condemning the Nigerian secret police’s actions as arbitrary.

Ejimakor praised the US for officially recognizing the unlawfulness of Kanu’s rendition and expressed gratitude to the US government, particularly its mission in Nigeria, for demonstrating diplomatic courage. He emphasized the significance of this acknowledgment, as it aligns with their argument that Kanu was unlawfully renditioned rather than lawfully extradited, underscoring the distinct legal implications of each term.

Furthermore, Ejimakor suggested that the US acknowledgment might prompt the Nigerian government to admit its wrongdoing and rectify the situation by closing Kanu’s prosecution without delay. He argued that continuing Kanu’s prosecution, initiated nearly a decade ago for alleged offenses that are no longer relevant, would be both futile and unjust, especially considering the challenges Kanu faces in obtaining a fair trial due to the circumstances of his detention.