Nationwide protests have intensified across the South-East and parts of Abuja as demonstrators continue to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
The renewed wave of protests follows the latest Court of Appeal ruling, which reaffirmed earlier findings that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021 was unlawful — but declined to grant his immediate release. The court’s decision has reignited widespread criticism and calls for the federal government to comply with constitutional provisions on fundamental human rights.
In several cities including Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, and Owerri, large crowds carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied” and “Obey Court Orders” marched through major streets, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to uphold the rule of law.
Civil rights groups and human rights lawyers have condemned the government’s continued detention of Kanu despite multiple court pronouncements. According to them, prolonged incarceration raises serious concerns about judicial independence and Nigeria’s global human rights record.
Speaking to Clarion Newschannel TV, a legal analyst, Barrister Chuka Nwokedi, described the ongoing standoff as “a direct challenge to the supremacy of the law,” warning that persistent defiance of court rulings undermines public trust in the justice system.
However, government representatives insist that Kanu’s case involves national security issues that can not be overlooked. The Attorney General’s office reaffirmed the government’s position, stating that “Nigeria remains committed to the rule of law, but also to the protection of lives, property, and territorial integrity.”
Security agencies have been deployed to manage the demonstrations, with reports indicating mostly peaceful protests but intermittent tension in a few areas. Local businesses and transport services have also been disrupted as residents express frustration over the prolonged legal impasse.
As the protests grow, the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has become a defining test of Nigeria’s democracy — one that will shape the balance between justice, national unity, and the fundamental rights of every citizen.
