IPOB Hails Kenyan Court for Declaring Kanu’s Rendition Illegal

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has commended the High Court of Kenya for declaring the 2021 arrest and transfer of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a landmark judgment delivered on June 24, 2025, the court in Nairobi ruled that Kanu’s abduction, incommunicado detention, alleged torture, and subsequent transfer to Nigeria in June 2021 amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental rights under Kenyan and international law.

IPOB, in a statement on Friday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, described the judgment as a “resounding judicial earthquake” and praised the legal team led by Professor PLO Lumumba for securing the victory.

“We are grateful for the brilliant legal leadership of Professor Lumumba, whose courage and tenacity made this monumental victory possible,” the group said.

IPOB maintained that Kanu entered Kenya legally as a British citizen and was abducted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by operatives of Nigeria’s secret police in collaboration with rogue Kenyan security officials.

The court found the Kenyan government liable for rights violations and awarded Kanu 10 million Kenyan shillings in compensation. It also ruled that his removal from Kenya was unconstitutional and illegal, exposing the complicity of both the Kenyan and Nigerian governments.

IPOB stated that the verdict leaves a permanent legal stain on the records of former Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami.

“This is only the beginning of a global accountability campaign. Those responsible, wherever they are, will be pursued under international law,” IPOB declared.

The group also praised Justice E.C. Mwita for his “judicial bravery” and urged the Nigerian judiciary to uphold justice with similar courage.