Jarvis Johnson, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, has fervently called upon Nigeria’s Supreme Court to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Johnson, a US Democrat representing the 139th District, urged the apex court to uphold the rulings of lower courts that have unequivocally called for the unconditional release of Kanu.
Expressing concern over the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria, Johnson emphasized that this act violated both the laws of Nigeria and international legal standards. The call for Kanu’s release comes ahead of his case scheduled with the Supreme Court on December 15, 2023.
In a statement shared with journalists by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, Johnson stressed the need for the Supreme Court to align with the consensus of legal opinions and affirm the multiple unchallenged judgments and orders advocating for Kanu’s release.
“The undisputed facts are as follows: MNK was extraordinarily renditioned by the Government of Nigeria (GON) from Kenya on June 27, 2021. Then, and now, he is the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a non-violent group, advocating for an internationally supervised referendum to resolve the Biafran issue within the Nigeria polity,” Johnson stated.
The US lawmaker also highlighted recent legal developments, including the High Court of Enugu State’s decision on October 30, 2023, which held that the classification of IPOB as a terrorist group by the GON and the Southeast Governor’s Forum contravenes Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution. This ruling, Johnson argued, eliminates any legal basis for the continued solitary confinement of Nnamdi Kanu.
Furthermore, Johnson referenced various Nigerian courts, including the High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, and the Court of Appeals in Abuja, which had previously ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu. He emphasized that there is no pending legal matter against Kanu, making his continued confinement questionable.
The US lawmaker also pointed to international opinions, citing the United Nations Human Rights Council’s July 20, 2022, opinion that found Kanu’s solitary confinement in violation of International Human Rights Conventions. Johnson stressed that the act of extraordinary rendition is not in dispute, and it is illegal under Nigerian and international law.
“I, therefore, call on the Nigerian Supreme Court to uphold or affirm the considered judgments of its subordinate courts and of the many International Tribunals by ordering the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This anticipated ruling will hasten the process of restoring confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary, of which the Supreme Court is its apex court,” Johnson concluded.
