By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has reiterated his innocence, stating that he has committed no offense, even as he expressed staunch faith in the judicial process to set him free.
Kanu disclosed this during a solidarity visit to him on Wednesday by the President General of the Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
Engr. Ellis-Ezenekwe, speaking shortly after the visit, described Kanu as looking healthy and jovial despite the prolonged detention. According to him, Kanu appeared relaxed and had even gained weight, which he noted as a positive sign. According to him, the IPOB leader, who was visibly pleased with the visit, conveyed his appreciation to the Igbo people in Abuja, thanking them for standing by him in these trying times.
“He was happy for the visit and extended his gratitude to the Igbo Community in Abuja. He said, ‘Tell our people, I’m well. I am taking my drugs and I’m good. Chukwu Okike Abiama is on the throne.’ His spirits were high, and he expressed his confidence in his legal team. He strongly believes that the courts will grant him freedom from the DSS holding cell by the end of April 2025,” Engr. Ellis-Ezenekwe recounted.
Continuing, he said that, during their interaction, Kanu bemoaned the current state of Igbo leadership, expressing frustration that no one seems to be championing the cause of Ndigbo in the Nigerian polity. He lamented that the plight of the Igbo people continues to worsen, especially in the current political climate, where he perceives a lack of vocal and decisive leadership from Ndị Igbo.
Kanu also reiterated his call for a referendum, maintaining that his advocacy has always been peaceful and aimed at awakening the consciousness of Ndị Igbo. “I have not committed any offense. I only told our people to wake up from sleep,” he insisted, reaffirming his commitment to the cause of self-determination through non-violent means.
The IPOB Leader further emphasized the need for the Igbo community to support their freedom fighters, cautioning against the tendency to abandon those who fight for their cause. He drew a parallel with the fate of Ralph Uwazurike, the Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), who, according to Kanu, faced neglect during his imprisonment in the Obasanjo era, leading to perceived compromises. Despite their differences, Kanu described Uwazurike as a man with a good heart who meant well for the struggle and for the Igbos.
Reflecting on the past, Kanu said “It was that kind of neglect that led to Uwazurike’s default. Even though he did some bad things to me, I still acknowledge that Uwazurike is a good man with a good heart. He meant well for the struggle and for the Igbo people.” Kanu harped on the need for. collective responsibility in the quest for justice and freedom.
Continuing, Engr. Ellis-Ezenekwe, moved by Kanu’s insights and unflinching resolve, made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and secure Kanu’s release. He urged the President to draw inspiration from his own days as a pro-democracy advocate with NADECO, reminding him of the sacrifices made for the freedom Nigeria enjoys today.
“Mr. President, please recall your days at NADECO when you fought for democracy. Look back and find the inspiration and political will to understand the predicament that our brother is in. Do this for the Igbos; do it for freedom. Nnamdi Kanu has suffered enough,” Engr. Ellis-Ezenekwe pleaded.
The visit and appeal come amid sustained calls from various Igbo groups and human rights advocates for Kanu’s unconditional release. Many have argued that his prolonged detention not only violates his fundamental rights but also exacerbates the already strained relations between the South-East and the Federal Government.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that, while the legal battle continues, Kanu’s supporters have always remained optimistic that justice will prevail, even as they urge the Federal Government to show magnanimity and embrace dialogue. It was in the same high spirit that the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the FCT, through its President General, Ezenekwe has once again reaffirmed its long-standing support for Kanu and called on all well-meaning Nigerians to add their voices to the demand for his freedom.
Recall that Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist, in 2014, founded IPOB, with the sole aim of restoring the state of Biafra which existed in Nigeria’s eastern region during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970. He was born September 25, 1967, the year the Nigerian Civil War began.
On October 14, 2015, Kanu was arrested in Lagos and slapped with 11 charges, including terrorism and treasonable felony; and was detained for more than a year, despite various court orders calling for his release.
On April 28, 2017, Kanu was released from prison on bail for health reasons.
He however did not meet the conditions for bail, instead he jumped bail and fled abroad for his life. He was on the run when IPOB was later declared a terrorist group by the defence headquarters and the court, following the approval of the South-East governors at the time.
Although Kanu had maintained that IPOB was interested only in a peaceful approach in achieving Biafran independence without violence, the reality was not in complete conformity.
While abroad, he continued campaigns for the actualisation of the state of Biafra. He also owned a United Kingdom-registered radio station, Radio Biafra, where he deployed to propagate his Biafran separatist agenda.
However, on Sunday June 27th, 2021, Kanu was abducted in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, and has since then, been detained at the facilities of the Department of State Security (DSS), from where he is being taken to the court from time to time as his legal battle prolongs, and where he has remained under detention since then, till date.
