The legal team representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has strongly condemned remarks allegedly made by a man identified as Chigozie Nnabugwu, who reportedly called on the Federal Government to kill the detained separatist leader, describing the statement as reckless, unlawful and a direct threat to Kanu’s life.
The controversy followed comments attributed to Nnabugwu during a live television interview on Monday, where he argued that peace would return to the South-East if Kanu were killed.
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.”
He further maintained that addressing what he described as the root causes of violence remained necessary to achieve lasting peace in the South-East.
The remarks have since generated widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians rejecting the suggestion and insisting that Kanu’s legal matters should be resolved strictly through the judicial process.
Responding in a statement issued on Tuesday, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, described the comments as an incitement to extrajudicial killing and demanded an immediate public retraction from Nnabugwu as well as an apology from the television station that aired the interview.
“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.
Ejimakor argued that the statement was irresponsible, dangerous and capable of encouraging violence.
“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,” he stated.
The lawyer also contended that the remarks appeared to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
“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.”
According to him, anyone found guilty of such an offence could face “a fine of up to ₦7 million or imprisonment of up to three years or both.”
Ejimakor further stated that additional criminal liabilities could arise under the Criminal Code for offences relating to incitement and threats of violence.
He also criticised the television station for allegedly providing a platform for comments capable of endangering public peace.
“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 legal team maintained that broadcasters who enable hate speech or calls for unlawful killings could be held accountable under applicable laws and broadcasting regulations.
Ejimakor further argued that advocating Kanu’s execution while his criminal trial remains before the courts amounts to interference with the administration of justice.
“Demanding an extrajudicial execution while legal proceedings remain before the court directly subverts the judicial process and potentially constitutes actionable contempt of court,” the statement added.
He disclosed that Kanu’s legal team is currently reviewing its legal options and described the statement as a formal 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 added, “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 the custody of the Federal Government since his return to Nigeria in 2021 and is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges.
His continued detention has remained one of the most contentious political and legal issues in Nigeria, with his legal team consistently demanding his release while the Federal Government insists that the judicial process should continue.
