Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has said that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will receive the justice he deserves over his alleged offences against the Nigerian state.
Onanuga, who serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, made the statement on Thursday in response to comments by rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, regarding Kanu’s prolonged detention.
The presidential aide accused Sowore of being an anarchist allegedly intent on plunging Nigeria into chaos, particularly over his call for mass protest demanding Kanu’s release.
He also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for supporting Sowore’s mobilisation efforts, describing Atiku’s position as opportunistic.
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Onanuga said: “You are nothing more than an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist. You very well know that Nnamdi Kanu is facing trial for treason, and you want to cause a breakdown of law and order by mobilising for a protest? Is this the kind of revolution you envisage for Nigeria, where the rule of law will be violated and your idea of justice would be the law of the jungle?
“I am surprised that ex-VP Atiku Abubakar, who is always opportunistic, has supported the planned mob action. As a statesman, he should know better that matters of justice are not resolved on the streets but in the law court.
“While the wheel of justice can sometimes be grindingly slow, partly caused by Kanu’s lawyers, Nnamdi Kanu will eventually get the justice he deserves for his alleged transgressions.”
Kanu, leader of the proscribed IPOB movement, has remained in custody since June 2021 following his controversial rendition from Kenya to Nigeria by security operatives.
The separatist leader, who faces charges of treason and terrorism, was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country in 2017 over alleged invasion of his residence by the Nigerian military.
His extradition sparked widespread criticism and legal disputes, with his lawyers and rights groups arguing that the manner of his return to Nigeria violated international law.
The case has since dragged on in court amid repeated adjournments and bail applications.