Human rights lawyer Barr. Christopher Chidera has condemned the federal government’s decision to restart the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, from scratch.
Chidera argued that any attempt to prosecute Kanu under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 is legally flawed, procedurally improper, and morally unjustifiable. He urged the Tinubu administration to negotiate a peaceful resolution before March 20, 2025, warning that failure to do so could expose corruption and systemic failures in the judicial system.
According to Chidera, the section of the 2013 terrorism law the government is relying on is no longer valid, and proceeding under a repealed statute violates legal principles. He criticized the prosecution’s attempt to use Section 98(3) of the TPPA 2022 to justify continuity, arguing that a de novo trial is a fresh proceeding and not an extension of a past case.
Reports indicate that Kanu intends to defend himself in court on March 21, 2025. His legal maneuvering, including prompting Justice Binta Nyako’s recusal and involving the Chief Justice of Nigeria, demonstrates his ability to challenge a system he believes is biased.
“If Kanu represents himself, the prosecution will face a formidable opponent who commands both legal expertise and public sympathy,” Chidera remarked. He warned that the case could expose biases, inconsistencies, and political manipulation within the judiciary, making a conviction legally impossible and politically disastrous.
Chidera urged the government to abandon the prosecution and seek dialogue, insisting that political dissent cannot be silenced through crackdowns or indefinite detention.
