Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyers Vows Action Over Call to Kill IPOB Leader

The legal team representing detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has threatened legal action over comments made during a television interview in which a guest allegedly called on the Federal Government to kill the separatist leader.

The lawyers described the remarks as dangerous, unlawful and capable of inciting violence, insisting that no individual has the right to advocate the extrajudicial killing of a citizen whose case is currently before the court.

The controversy followed comments made by Chigozie Nnabugwu during a live television programme on Monday.

During the interview, Nnabugwu reportedly argued that peace and stability would gradually return to the South-East if Kanu was killed by the Nigerian government.

According to him, “If Nnamdi Kanu is dead today, if the Government of Nigeria will kill Nnamdi Kanu, trust me, normalcy will start coming, and that’s what every Igbo man prays for.”

Reacting on Tuesday, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, issued a strongly worded statement on behalf of the IPOB leader’s legal team. He condemned the remarks and accused the speaker of openly advocating an unlawful act against a person whose rights remain protected under Nigerian law.

Ejimakor stated that the comments amounted to a direct call for extrajudicial killing and should not be treated lightly.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team hereby strongly condemns the statement made by one Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu on …, in which he publicly urged the Government of Nigeria to kill our client for ‘normalcy to return to the Southeast,’” the statement read.

The legal team argued that the comments were not only irresponsible but also capable of encouraging disorder and threatening public peace.

“To be sure, this call for extrajudicial killing is reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful. And it constitutes a clear threat to life and risks inciting a breakdown of public order,” Ejimakor said.

According to the lawyers, such statements could attract criminal liability under existing Nigerian laws, including provisions relating to threats, incitement and public order offences.

The statement further referenced Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the deliberate transmission of messages capable of threatening lives or causing a breakdown of law and order through electronic channels.

“The call strains the boundaries set under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the knowing or intentional transmission of messages via electronic means, including those amplified on broadcast platforms and social media, that pose a threat to life or are intended to cause a breakdown of law and order,” the statement added.

Ejimakor also warned that additional legal consequences could arise under other criminal statutes dealing with incitement and related offences.

The legal team further criticised the television station that aired the interview, accusing it of providing a platform for inflammatory comments without adequate moderation.

According to the lawyers, broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure that discussions conducted on their platforms do not encourage violence or threaten public safety.

“By airing and platforming this inflammatory content without due regard for its potential to incite violence or threaten public peace, …TV may face regulatory sanctions for breach of broadcast codes on incitement and public order,” the statement said.

The lawyers maintained that calls for the killing of a defendant whose matter remains before the courts could also be interpreted as an attempt to undermine ongoing judicial proceedings.

They argued that Kanu’s legal battle is still active and should be determined through lawful processes rather than public campaigns or inflammatory statements.

“Demanding an extrajudicial execution while legal proceedings remain before the court directly subverts the judicial process and potentially constitutes actionable contempt of court,” the legal team stated.

Ejimakor disclosed that Kanu’s lawyers have begun reviewing available legal options and have already issued what they described as a pre-action notice.

“We hereby demand that Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu issue an immediate public retraction of his statement, and that …TV tender an unqualified televised apology for airing such dangerous content,” he said.

He added that failure to comply could trigger legal proceedings against both the guest and the television station.

“This Press Release serves as a pre-action notice of all legal actions that will ensue if Mr. Nnabugwu and ….TV fail to take immediate remedial measures.”

Kanu has remained in Federal Government custody since his return to Nigeria in 2021. He is currently facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.