Abuja, September 9, 2025 – The Global Defence Consortium of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has issued a strong warning to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), demanding immediate action on a petition submitted by the detained IPOB leader during the recent NBA Annual Conference in Enugu.

The petition called for an end to what Kanu’s lawyers described as the “unlawful persecution” of their client and requested an investigation into Justices Binta Nyako, Haruna Tsammani, and Garba Lawal over alleged “gross violations of judicial oath.”

According to the consortium, the judges in question have delivered rulings that sustained charges based on repealed laws, including the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013 and the Customs and Excise Management Act 1958. They argued that this contravenes the principle of legality, which holds that no crime or punishment can exist without a law.

The statement further accused the judiciary of endorsing Kanu’s alleged unlawful rendition, violating provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Extradition Act, the African Charter, and international treaties. It also raised concerns over breaches of fair hearing and protection from double jeopardy under Section 36 of the Constitution.

Despite these allegations, the consortium noted that the NBA, NJC, and NHRC have so far remained silent, a stance it described as “not neutrality but complicity.”

Escalation to International Bar Association

Barrister Onyedikachi Ifedi, who signed the statement on behalf of the consortium, declared that unless the Nigerian legal bodies act swiftly, the matter will be taken before the International Bar Association (IBA).

The group said it would demand Nigeria’s suspension from the IBA until a transparent investigation is conducted and also call for international accountability over what it termed “weaponisation of the judiciary against political opponents.”

“Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied”

“The Nigerian Constitution is supreme. No court, not even the Supreme Court, has the power to resurrect a repealed law,” the consortium stated.

It further warned that continued prosecution of Kanu after his earlier discharge amounts to double jeopardy and a flagrant breach of the rule of law.

“The credibility of the legal profession is on the line. Silence in the face of injustice is endorsement of oppression,” the statement read.

The consortium concluded by demanding urgent and public action from the NBA, NJC, and NHRC, stressing that failure to act will leave no option but to escalate the matter internationally.