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Kanunta Kanu, one of the brothers of the recently jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, tweeted on Sunday that Prince Emmanuel Kanu and Dr. Maxwell Opara had met with the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Medium Security Prison.
On Friday, President Bola Tinubu’s government transferred Kanu from the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja to a correctional centre in Sokoto State.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism charges for declaring a “sit‑at‑home” order in the South-East, which the court ruled was enforced through threats and violence.
The court also gave him concurrent sentences of 20 years and five years on other counts. The court cited international concerns over capital punishment in deciding against the death penalty.
According to Kanunta, Kanu instructed him to inform the public that his conviction was without legal basis, noting that no individual can be convicted under a repealed law.
He added that Kanu emphasised that his final written address, which was anchored on the principle of fair hearing, was denied. He further stated that the evidence relied upon by the court was neither included in the charge sheet nor formally presented as evidence against him.
Additionally, Kanunta said Kanu raised concerns over the court’s reliance on struck-out charges from Justice Binta Nyako, describing it as a significant issue.
“Upon reviewing the judgment, he identified numerous errors that undermined the validity of his trial,” the tweet added.
He added that Kanu urged well-meaning Nigerian justices, magistrates, and lawyers to carefully examine the judgment and uphold the laws of the land and the Nigerian Constitution.
Kanunta said, “He questioned the disparity between the favorable rulings in Umuahia High Court, Enugu, Appeal Court, United Nations, and Supreme Court, which stated that the laws under which he was charged are repealed and must be amended, yet were ignored.
“He commended individuals of good conscience who recognized the injustice and rejected it. I am Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who will reject injustice, unfairness, and evil against anybody regardless of your tribe, faith, and ethnic background.”
“Injustice to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is injustice everywhere. I remain thankful for all your supports, prayers, and your good thoughts. Elohim, bless you all he said,” he added.
Kanu’s trial attracted national and international attention, with critics alleging political interference. The court linked Kanu’s sit-at-home order to the killing of former presidential aide Ahmed Gulak and accused him of inciting violence through broadcasts.
Justice Kolawole Omotosho described Kanu as “arrogant, cocky, and full of himself,” adding that his rhetoric posed a serious threat to public safety.
