The family of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has rejected the recent judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, describing it as an “ambush” and a violation of the Constitution.
The family claims that the judge ignored months of legal arguments and authorities cited before the court, including Section 36(12) of the Constitution, Supreme Court decisions on the effect of repealed laws, and the apex court’s directive to correct Count 7 in the earlier charges.
According to the family, Justice Omotosho convicted Kanu on repealed and non-existent laws, which is “unprecedented,” “unconstitutional,” and “a direct violation of the right to fair hearing.”
The family also criticized the judge for introducing new legal reasoning after parties had closed their arguments, saying this amounts to “denial of fair hearing”.
The family is demanding the immediate nullification of the unconstitutional conviction, calling for an end to “judicial improvisation that treats constitutional rights as optional suggestions.” They insist that Nigeria is a constitutional republic and its judges must act like it.
