The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the appearance of posters across various streets in Abuja portraying its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as a criminal.
The posters, which include his image and a skull-and-crossbones symbol, bear the message: *“Nnamdi Kanu must pay for killing our security agents and innocent citizens.”*
In a statement released to the media, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, described the posters as “false, defamatory, and prejudicial to Kanu’s ongoing trial.” He noted that such acts are not only aimed at inciting public hatred but are also a direct attempt to intimidate the judiciary and manipulate legal proceedings.
“These malicious posters are part of a wider campaign to influence the courts and poison public opinion,” Powerful said. “Nnamdi Kanu has never been convicted of any crime, and none of the allegations against him occurred in Abuja, yet that is where his trial is being held.”
Citing a report by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Powerful reiterated that Kanu’s arrest and forced rendition from Kenya were illegal and called for his immediate release.
He also called on Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over Kanu’s case, to either step down or transfer the trial to a more neutral and legally appropriate location, given what IPOB describes as an already “tainted” legal atmosphere in Abuja.
In response to the situation, IPOB urged the international community to condemn the Nigerian government’s actions and appealed to the British government to intervene on behalf of Kanu, a UK citizen.
Finally, the group called on the Nigerian judiciary to uphold justice and ensure that political intimidation does not influence the outcome of the case.
