A High Court in Nairobi, Kenya, has ruled that the abduction and subsequent transfer of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful and unconstitutional.
In a landmark judgment delivered by Justice E.C. Mwita, the court found that both the Kenyan and Nigerian governments violated Kanu’s fundamental rights. Justice Mwita ruled that Kanu, who had entered Kenya legally, was entitled to full constitutional protections under Kenyan law, protections that were grossly disregarded.
Kanu was reportedly abducted, held incommunicado, tortured, and denied food and medical care while in detention. He was later forcibly flown to Nigeria without due legal process — acts the court deemed a serious breach of both Kenyan law and international human rights standards.
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“The government of Kenya violated the Constitution and Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s rights and fundamental freedoms,” Justice Mwita stated. “He was subjected to torture, humiliation, and illegal removal from Kenyan territory without lawful extradition procedures.”
The court awarded Kanu general damages of 10 million Kenyan shillings (approximately ₦120 million) against the Kenyan government, citing gross violations of his constitutional rights.
The court formally declared the following:
• Kanu’s abduction, solitary confinement, and denial of basic necessities constituted a violation of his fundamental rights.
• His forced transfer to Nigeria was unlawful, unconstitutional, and in breach of both domestic and international legal standards.
• The Kenyan government is liable for compensatory damages.
IPOB Reacts: A Victory for Justice
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) hailed the ruling as a “judicial earthquake” and a global victory for human rights. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB praised the Kenyan judiciary and legal team, particularly lead counsel Professor PLO Lumumba, for their courage and dedication.
“In a historic and courageous judgement delivered on June 24, 2025, the High Court of Kenya declared the abduction, illegal detention, torture, and extraordinary rendition of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unlawful and a gross violation of his rights under Kenyan and international law,” the statement read.
IPOB reiterated that Kanu was in Kenya legally as a British citizen and was abducted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by agents of Nigeria’s secret police with the help of rogue Kenyan security officials. He was then secretly flown to Abuja without any legal process or extradition hearing.
“This ruling confirms that what took place in June 2021 was not an extradition but an act of state-sponsored international terrorism,” IPOB said.
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The group accused former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, along with former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, of complicity in the illegal operation. It also alleged attempts by successive Nigerian administrations, including those of Vice President Osinbajo, President Tinubu, and Vice President Shettima, to pressure the Kenyan judiciary to suppress the case efforts that ultimately failed.
“This verdict places a permanent legal stain on all involved and signals the beginning of a global accountability campaign,” IPOB warned. “No one involved will escape justice not in Kenya, not in Nigeria, not in any corner of the world.”
The statement concluded with a message of gratitude to Justice Mwita and Professor Lumumba’s legal team, calling the judgment a warning to authoritarian regimes that the shield of national borders can no longer protect those who violate human rights.
