The American Veterans of Igbo Descent, AVID has described the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as “a constitutional abomination” and demanded his immediate release.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Sylvester Onyia, AVID said there is currently no valid charge against Kanu before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court. The group pointed out that Count 7 of the charges is identical to Count 15, which the Supreme Court struck out on December 15, 2023. The apex court had declared that “the offence as laid does not exist in the body of our laws.” AVID said the prosecution simply renumbered the count and forced Kanu to take a fresh plea on March 29, 2025.
AVID also noted that the remaining six counts were based on the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, amended in 2013, which was repealed by the National Assembly in May 2022. “No court in Nigeria in 2025 has jurisdiction to try any citizen on a repealed law or a count the Supreme Court has declared non-existent,” the group said.
The group cited Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires that no person be tried for an offence not defined in a written law. “A repealed law is not in force. A count declared non-existent by the Supreme Court is not a charge. A man detained for years on such a charge is a hostage, not an accused person,” AVID said.
AVID also criticized the United Kingdom for remaining silent over Kanu’s treatment, arguing that its inaction amounts to “a diplomatic green light for persecution.” The group referenced British legal principles, citing Lord Camden, William Blackstone, A.V. Dicey, and Lord Bingham, noting that offences must be clearly defined in law before prosecution.
The group demanded that all charges against Kanu be struck out. “There is no valid charge before Justice Omotosho. There is therefore no lawful basis for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention. Anything less is not justice. The world is watching. History is recording,” AVID stated.
Kanu’s case is expected to return to the Federal High Court on November 20.
