Human rights lawyer, Barr. Christopher Chidera, has strongly advised the Nigerian government against prosecuting Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the repealed Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act of 2013, calling such an attempt legally unsustainable.
In a statement, Chidera raised concerns over the government’s plan to try Kanu under a law that was revoked, pointing out that the outdated 2013 Act cannot legally be used to support Kanu’s trial.
Chidera stressed, “Any effort to prosecute Kanu under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act of 2013 is both legally unfounded and procedurally flawed.”
The lawyer urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enter into negotiations with Kanu before March 20, 2025, to prevent exposing systemic flaws within Nigeria’s justice system. He highlighted that the specific section of the 2013 Act being cited for the prosecution is no longer valid following its repeal, and proceeding with the case could draw both domestic and international criticism.
Kanu is set to represent himself in court on March 21, 2025, a move that could shine a spotlight on the potential weaknesses within Nigeria’s judicial system. Chidera indicated that this decision could reveal significant inconsistencies and vulnerabilities in the legal proceedings.
“This case is a crucial test for Nigeria’s judiciary, carrying both political and legal consequences,” said Chidera, urging the government to reconsider the prosecution and pursue an amicable resolution with Kanu before the deadline of March 20, 2025.
Emphasizing the political nature of the case, Chidera concluded, “Political dissent cannot be silenced through force; the Biafran struggle will not be extinguished by crackdowns or detentions without trial.”
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