Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned some foreign embassies in Nigeria over his continued detention.
Kanu urged the international bodies to prevail on Nigeria to uphold constitutional supremacy and prevent “stare decisis and rule of law” in his trial.
The petition was addressed to the following: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, European Union, ECOWAS Court, Kenya, South Africa, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Union, Netherlands, Sweden, Amnesty International, Red Cross, African Brazil, Israel, Finland, and Austria.
The petition, signed by IPOB’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, on behalf of Kanu, reads partly: “By this letter, I respectfully implore your urgent intervention to compel the Nigerian government to adhere to its own laws, respect stare decisis, and uphold the constitutional supremacy enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
“The Supreme Court’s lawlessness, compounded by the Court of Appeal’s illegal stay of execution, undermines the rule of law, and I seek your assistance to restore justice.“Prayer for Relief, I respectfully request Urgent Intervention: Demanding that Nigeria comply with Abacha v. State and Ejiofor v. FRN, by enforcing the Court of Appeal’s discharge retroactively to October 13, 2022, nullifying my arbitrary detention, declaring the October 28, 2022 stay illegal, and securing my immediate release.“
Condemning Judicial Lawlessness: Declare the Supreme Court’s reversal and the Court of Appeal’s stay violations of stare decisis, constitutional supremacy, and ICCPR/ECHR protections.
“Holding the UK Accountable: Invoke R (Evans) to compel emergency diplomatic action, including Magnitsky sanctions against complicit Nigerian officials.Escalate Internationally: Support referral to the ECOWAS Court, African Court, or ICC if Nigeria refuses compliance.
“The Supreme Court’s December 15, 2023 reversal, compounded by the Court of Appeal’s illegal stay of execution on October 28, 2022, represents a systemic collapse of the rule of law in Nigeria.
“My 14-month arbitrary detention, enabled by UK inaction, exposes discriminatory neglect and judicial lawlessness.
“Your urgent intervention is critical to halt my persecution, uphold constitutional governance, and prevent my possible death in custody.”
