Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has rejected appeals for clemency, insisting that his release must be based on the rule of law rather than executive mercy.
His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, shared a statement on his X account on Saturday in which Kanu made it clear that he does not want anyone pleading on his behalf.
This follows renewed calls by South East leaders, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, urging President Bola Tinubu to facilitate his release.
However, Kanu maintains that his continued detention is unconstitutional, citing a Federal High Court ruling and international tribunal decisions that declared it unlawful.
“During my visitation with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu yesterday, he made it abundantly clear that while he is deeply appreciative of the efforts and the widespread calls being made by well-meaning individuals and groups to secure his release.
“The matter of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not an act of mercy, pardon, executive clemency, or even amnesty.
“Instead, it should be an act of simply complying with the subsisting Federal High Court judgment that declared his detention as unconstitutional or even the extant international tribunal decisions that separately declared his detention as unlawful.”
Kanu urged his supporters to focus on ensuring that his case is handled fairly rather than appealing for clemency, which he believes could set a dangerous precedent.
“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is adamant that nobody should plead or beg anybody on his behalf because he has committed no crime. Self-determination which is the real issue that got twisted to suddenly become a high crime is an inalienable right guaranteed under the laws of Nigeria, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.
“Thus, the perverse and unlawful criminalisation of his exercise of this right should not unwittingly be encouraged through some misguided appeals for pardon, clemency, or mercy. Thus, releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not an act of mercy or pardon but an act of abiding by rule of law.
“In as much as those calling for his release are sincere, their calls for pardon or clemency may be misconstrued as a green light to the executive branch or even the courts to violate the rule of law by continuing to subject Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a prosecution or trial that does not comport with the tenets of the Constitution and Nigeria’s treaty obligations.
“Instead of begging, those desiring his release should emulate the language and tact used by Afenifere, Ohaneze, World Igbo Congress (WIC), ranking members of the National Assembly, American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Ambassadors for Self Determination (based in America), the international community and a host of others who have made it clear that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves to be released because he has committed no offence known to law.”
He also expressed gratitude to those working to restore security in the South East but emphasised that any call for his release must uphold legal and constitutional principles.
