Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has offered ₦1 million to any Nigerian law student who can provide a case where a judge granted a stay of release for a person acquitted by the court.
The offer was announced by Kanu’s legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, Jude Ugwuanyi, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, and Mandela Umegborogu in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the lawyers, Ejiofor said: “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu pledges to award ₦1,000,000 to any law student from any Nigerian university who can find a precedent for a stay of execution in criminal cases where an acquitted person is prevented from enjoying their freedom.”
He added, “This is an illegality that will haunt Nigeria for as long as life endures. But this injustice was done because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of Igbo descent and must suffer, regardless of what the law says.”
The legal team also reiterated that Kanu’s ongoing detention is illegal and lacks court authorization.
Ejiofor stated: “It’s important to note that Onyendu’s continued detention by the Department of State Security Service is unlawful and unsupported by any court order. He was remanded under the pretext of jumping bail, but the Court of Appeal ruled that all charges against him were invalid due to lack of jurisdiction and violations of both the Kenyan and Nigerian Extradition Acts.”
“Justice Tsamani of the Court of Appeal unlawfully issued an order to stay Kanu’s release, a decision that has no precedent. No judicial system in history has ever allowed an acquitted person to be denied release through a stay of execution.”
