Human rights lawyer, Barrister Christopher Chidera, has lambasted veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, over his recent comments on the ongoing detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Chidera, in a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, October 24, 2025, described Akande’s comments as “ignorant, shallow, and a defense of injustice.”
Akande had earlier claimed that “Nnamdi Kanu is not interested in trial”, a statement Chidera said reflects “how far government-sponsored commentators will go to justify lawlessness.”
“Kanu Has Already Been Discharged”
According to the Abuja-based lawyer, the Court of Appeal’s 2022 ruling which discharged and acquitted Kanu remains valid and binding.
“Let’s get one simple fact straight — the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in October 2022. That judgment has never been vacated,” Chidera said.
“The Supreme Court never ordered his continued detention; it only said the case could be retried if the law permits. So why is he still in DSS custody two years later? Because the government refused to obey the law.”
He accused the Federal Government of being in contempt of court, insisting that it cannot claim to seek justice while defying subsisting judicial orders.
“Stay of Execution Was Legal Fraud”
The lawyer also faulted the stay of execution order granted by the Court of Appeal, describing it as an abuse of process.
“That stay was filed using civil procedure in a criminal matter — a legal fraud. Every law student knows you cannot use civil rules to cage a citizen discharged in a criminal case. It was dead on arrival,” he declared.
“They Are Trying Kanu Under a Dead Law”
Chidera further alleged that the Federal Government is prosecuting Kanu under repealed laws, calling it a “constitutional absurdity.”
He claimed that the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act 2013 and the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) 2004, under which Kanu was charged, have been expunged from Nigeria’s statute books.
“Trying anyone under a repealed law is like arresting a man for breaking a rule that no longer exists. Under Section 36 of the Constitution, there can be no crime or punishment without a valid law,” he noted.
“Supreme Court Judgment Was Per Incuriam”
Chidera went further to describe the December 2023 Supreme Court ruling, which allowed the retrial of Kanu, as “per incuriam” — meaning it was delivered in ignorance of existing laws.
“Even the Supreme Court cannot breathe life into a dead statute,” he insisted.
g“DSS Monitoring Violates Fair Hearing”
He accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of violating Kanu’s right to a fair hearing, alleging that his meetings with lawyers were being secretly monitored.
“That alone violates Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter. Yet, instead of correcting these breaches, the court wants to force him through a sham trial,” Chidera said.
“Kanu Is Rejecting Illegality, Not Trial”
In his closing remarks, the human rights advocate directed sharp criticism at Akande and others defending the government’s actions.
“Before you talk about Kanu avoiding trial, first learn what the law says. He is not avoiding trial — he is rejecting illegality,” Chidera declared.
“You cannot try a man under a dead law, detain him in defiance of a discharge order, and still pretend it’s due process.”
Chidera maintained that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s position is based on principle — not defiance — and called the ongoing proceedings an “illegal circus” until the government obeys the Court of Appeal’s discharge order.