Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Presents ₦1 Billion Judgment Against Federal Government

The legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has tendered a Federal High Court judgment awarding ₦1 billion in damages against the Nigerian government.

This court ruling stems from the controversial military raid on Kanu’s residence in Umuahia, Abia State, in 2017. The legal team, led by prominent lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, presented this judgment in the ongoing terrorism trial as further proof of the federal government’s alleged persecution of Kanu.

Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony and was later released on bail in 2017. However, the raid on his home by the Nigerian military reportedly led to his disappearance and eventual re-arrest in Kenya in 2021, under circumstances his supporters described as extraordinary rendition.

The ₦1 billion judgment, awarded by the Umuahia Division of the Federal High Court in 2022, ruled that the military invasion was unlawful and violated Kanu’s fundamental human rights.

Ejimakor argued that this judgment should weigh heavily in Kanu’s favor in the current proceedings, which allege terrorism and secessionist propaganda against the IPOB leader. He emphasized that the same government prosecuting Kanu has been found guilty of rights violations against him, raising questions about the legitimacy and objectivity of the legal process. Kanu’s team hopes the court will consider this context when deciding whether to grant bail or dismiss the charges.

Meanwhile, the case continues to generate intense political and social debate across Nigeria. Pro-Biafra supporters view Kanu as a freedom fighter advocating for the self-determination of the Igbo people, while the federal government sees IPOB as a threat to national unity. The trial has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about marginalization, federalism, and ethnic relations in Nigeria.

As the case unfolds, local and international human rights observers are closely monitoring proceedings for signs of judicial independence and adherence to due process. The ₦1 billion compensation ruling represents more than just money—it is a symbol of resistance for IPOB supporters and a critical point of contention in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance national security and civil liberties.