In a powerful and historic judgment, the High Court of Kenya has declared that the abduction and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenyan soil in 2021 was unlawful and unconstitutional. The court also ordered the Government of Kenya to pay him 10 million Kenyan shillings (about ₦120 million) in damages for the gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
The ruling, delivered on June 24, 2025, by Justice E.C. Mwita in Nairobi, marks a major legal win for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their embattled leader. Kanu was arrested in Kenya and forcefully transported to Nigeria without due process—an act the judge ruled as a clear breach of both Kenyan and international law.
Court Faults Kenya, Nigeria for Rights Violations
Justice Mwita, while delivering the verdict, didn’t mince words. He condemned the actions of both the Nigerian and Kenyan governments, emphasizing that once Kanu entered Kenya legally, he was entitled to full protection under the country’s 2010 Constitution.
“Mr. Nnamdi was abducted, kept in solitary confinement, tortured, and denied food and medical care—a gross breach of his basic rights,” the judge said.
According to the court, the IPOB leader was humiliated, shackled, and forcefully flown to Nigeria without any legal extradition process—a clear violation of his freedom of movement and personal security as protected by Kenyan law.
The court not only declared these actions illegal but also awarded compensation, holding the Kenyan government liable for the abuse.
IPOB Celebrates: “A Judicial Earthquake”
Reacting to the judgment, IPOB issued a celebratory statement, calling the ruling a “resounding judicial earthquake” that vindicates its long-standing position that Kanu was not extradited, but illegally renditioned in an operation they describe as “state-sponsored international terrorism.”
“The court’s verdict has shaken the legal foundations of the fraudulent rendition of our leader,” IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said in the statement.
The group extended deep appreciation to Professor PLO Lumumba, the lead counsel in the Kenyan litigation, praising his courage and legal brilliance. They also thanked Justice Mwita for standing firm despite what they described as “ferocious political interference and international pressure.”
A Damning Indictment of Two Governments
The ruling lays blame squarely on the shoulders of former Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, as well as former Attorney General Abubakar Malami. IPOB accused these leaders of overseeing and covering up what it calls an “internationally condemned” rendition operation.
“It was not an extradition. It was a daylight abduction,” the statement declared. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu entered Kenya lawfully as a British citizen. He was seized at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, tortured, denied medication, and secretly flown to Abuja without a warrant or trial.”
“This Is Just the Beginning” — IPOB Vows Global Legal Action
According to IPOB, this judgment is not the end of the matter but the beginning of a broader campaign for justice and accountability.
They claim that efforts were made by Nigerian leaders—including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and current President Bola Tinubu and his deputy Kashim Shettima—to pressure Kenya into covering up the illegal operation. Those efforts, IPOB says, failed.
The group also accused Western powers and the British government of diplomatic silence, saying they, too, will be held accountable.
“This verdict places an indelible legal stain on all those involved,” the statement continued. “The world must now recognize that tyranny has limits. This judgment is a warning that international borders will no longer protect criminal regimes from the consequences of their actions.”
A Message to the Oppressed
To Justice Mwita, IPOB expressed heartfelt gratitude for his “judicial bravery.” To Professor Lumumba and his team, they offered deep respect for their “exceptional advocacy.”
And to oppressed people everywhere, IPOB said this: “This is your victory too. Justice has spoken—loudly. No tyrant is beyond reach. The age of impunity is coming to an end.”
