A public policy advocate and human rights lawyer, Barrister Christopher Chidera, has described the ongoing trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as “a political persecution dressed as law.”
In a public briefing held on October 10, 2025, titled “Only the Deceptive and Illiterate Still Call Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a Terrorist — The Real Criminals Sit in Power,” Barrister Chidera accused the Federal Government of running a “baseless and hypocritical prosecution” against the separatist leader, claiming the state has failed to produce any evidence linking him to terrorism.
“The Government Closed Its Case Without a Single Bullet”
Chidera said after years of trial, the Federal Government closed its case without presenting a single weapon, bullet shell, or credible witness in court.
“Not one exhibit, not one forensic report, not one credible witness. How then can anyone in good conscience call Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a terrorist?” he asked.
He added that if terrorism trials are based on evidence, “then this case died the day the prosecution rested its empty case.”
“Where Are the Victims?”
The lawyer questioned the government’s narrative of violence allegedly linked to IPOB, asking:
“Where are the victims of these phantom crimes? Who were they? Where did it happen? Why has no relative or witness ever testified in court?”
He argued that the only victims in the entire saga are Kanu himself and peaceful IPOB members who, according to him, have faced abductions, extrajudicial killings, and harassment by Nigerian security operatives.
“The Real Terrorists Were in Uniform”
Referencing findings from the Lagos State Judicial Panel on EndSARS, Chidera accused Nigeria’s security agencies — particularly the Army, Police, and DSS — of committing acts of state terrorism.
“Those who shot unarmed youths at the Lekki Toll Gate are the real terrorists. No IPOB member fired a gun. The truth is clear: state terror has been rebranded as law enforcement,” he said.
“Negotiating with Killers, Detaining an Unarmed Man”
Chidera further blasted the government’s alleged double standard in dealing with violent extremists, saying:
“The same government that negotiates and compensates bandits and Boko Haram commanders is detaining an unarmed political prisoner who merely exercised his right to self-determination.”
He accused authorities of shielding northern militants while persecuting a southeastern activist, calling it “ethnic persecution dressed in law.”
“Unknown Gunmen Are State Creation”
The public policy advocate also claimed that criminal gangs and ‘unknown gunmen’ in the South-East were allegedly sponsored to discredit IPOB and justify Kanu’s detention.
“Every fair-minded observer knows the so-called unknown gunmen are a state creation. The DSS manufactures both witnesses and evidence,” he alleged.
“Only DSS Agents Testified Against Kanu”
Chidera stated that all but one of the prosecution’s witnesses were DSS operatives or paid informants, with none providing evidence of violence directly linked to Kanu.
He criticized Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court for allegedly continuing the case despite admitting that no violent act was proven.
“Only a dishonest mind will pretend Justice Omotosho’s court is not political,” he said, referencing human rights lawyer Femi Falana’s earlier remark that Kanu’s case “will be decided outside the courtroom.”
“The Real Fear — Loss of Petro-Dollar Loot”
According to Chidera, those attacking Nnamdi Kanu are doing so out of fear that his ideology threatens their corrupt interests.
“They fear the day he will cut off their access to Nigeria’s petro-dollar loot. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu represents accountability and truth — virtues that threaten every corrupt elite,” he stated.
Call for Kanu’s Release and International Inquiry
Concluding his statement, Chidera urged Nigerians and the international community to demand justice and transparency, calling for:
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The immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with the Court of Appeal judgment of October 13, 2022.
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An international inquiry into alleged state-sponsored violence and false prosecutions against IPOB members.
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Sanctions against all officials complicit in what he termed “judicial persecution.”
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not on trial for terrorism — he is on trial for exposing an unjust system built on lies, corruption, and impunity,” he concluded.
