The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described the ongoing prosecution of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as not only baseless but also a glaring indictment of Nigeria’s judicial system. The pro-Biafran group raised alarm over what it termed the Federal Government’s “desperate misuse of the court system” and “systematic falsehood” in its sustained bid to criminalise self-determination advocacy.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday by its spokesperson, Mr. Emma Powerful, IPOB criticised the proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which took place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, where the Federal Government allegedly attempted to link Kanu to the #EndSARS protests that swept across the country in 2020.
Describing the charge as “absurd,” IPOB stated that the court session laid bare the government’s frantic effort to portray Kanu as the mastermind of a peaceful, youth-led protest against police brutality. “This narrative is not only intellectually hollow, it is morally repugnant,” the group insisted.
According to the group, the prosecution’s case has now reached a critical juncture. After the conclusion of cross-examination, the Federal Government’s legal team, led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), closed its case. In response, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), declared the defence’s intention to file a ‘No-Case Submission’, arguing that the prosecution had failed to provide any admissible evidence linking Kanu to terrorism or any other crime.
Justice James Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter to July 18, 2025, for the adoption of final written addresses. However, IPOB claims the proceedings on Thursday further exposed the Federal Government’s inability to substantiate its allegations, describing the trial as a carefully orchestrated campaign driven by propaganda, not proof.
The group noted with concern that the last prosecution witness, identified in court documents as PW5-EEE and introduced as an intelligence officer, crumbled under cross-examination by senior defence counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN). The witness reportedly gave contradictory statements and failed to answer straightforward questions, prompting visible frustration from both the bench and prosecution counsel.
“In fact, the situation became so embarrassing that Chief Awomolo (SAN) had to caution his own witness in open court,” the statement revealed. “At one point, Justice Omotosho was compelled to intervene, demanding that the witness respond directly to basic ‘yes or no’ questions.”
IPOB accused the Federal Government of fabricating evidence to salvage its failing case. It described the allegation linking Kanu to the killing of over 200 security operatives in the South-East as lacking any factual basis. According to the group, the prosecution did not present any names, ranks, service stations, or even death certificates of the alleged deceased officers.
Equally troubling, the group alleged that a report purportedly tying IPOB to violent activities in 2020 was only authored in June 2025. “This backdated assessment lacks credibility and is a clear instance of afterthought fabrication,” the group stated. “Worse still, critical documents such as autopsy results and coroner certificates were unsigned, unverifiable, and marred by apparent forgery.”
In IPOB’s view, the trial of Kanu has become a microcosm of systemic failures within the Nigerian legal and political system, warning that the continued persecution of their leader would only deepen public distrust in national institutions.
Calling on the international community, civil society organisations, and human rights bodies, the group urged renewed scrutiny of the Federal Government’s actions, insisting that the current proceedings amount to political persecution under the guise of national security.
IPOB concluded by demanding Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, stressing that no lawful evidence has been presented to justify his continued detention.
