Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 after President Buhari-led Nigerian government arrested him in Kenya.

Nnamdi Kanu

The lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, has sent out a message to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prove that his apology to Nigerians is genuine by releasing the IPOB leader from detention. 

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 after President Buhari-led Nigerian government arrested him in Kenya and returned to Nigeria for continuation of his trial on treasonable felony and terrorism charges leveled against him by the government.

However, the Nigerian Court of Appeal in its judgment in October 2022 discharged and acquitted the Southeast secessionist group leader and ordered his immediate and unconditional release from detention.

But the Nigerian government objected to the appellate court’s ruling and appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court while Kanu remained in detention. 

On Friday, SaharaReporters reported that President Buhari asked Nigerians that feel hurt by his actions or policies to pardon him, because “we are all humans.”

The president had said, “Having been a Governor, Minister and the President twice, I think God has given us an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that. So, please whoever feels I have done wrong to, we are all humans.

“There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me.”

Reacting to President Buhari’s apology, Kanu’s lawyer, Ejimakor said that Buhari’s policy of “self determination” led to extrajudicial killings, detentions, torture and an infamous extraordinary rendition.

Ejimakor on his Twitter handle said, “Dear @MBuhari: Your policy on self determination led to extrajudicial killings, detentions, torture & an infamous extraordinary rendition. Prove that your apology is genuine by freeing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu & all detained on account of self determination. It’s your legacy!”