What Jonathan told me about Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention – Sowore

Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, says former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed support for a swift and just resolution to the prolonged detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore disclosed this after meeting the former president in Abuja on Friday as part of his ongoing campaign to mobilise peaceful protests calling for Kanu’s release.

In a post shared on his Facebook page, Sowore said Jonathan acknowledged the pressing need to address Kanu’s incarceration in the interest of justice and national unity.

He wrote: “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognizing the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing. Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss this issue as soon as possible.”

According to Sowore, Jonathan’s position aligns with a growing national consensus calling for a political and lawful resolution of the IPOB leader’s case.

“With this, former President Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerians who have called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case, a list that already includes ex Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Femi Falana SAN, Senator Shehu Sani, and many others across political and regional divides,” he added.

Sowore further insisted that Kanu’s continued detention was unjustified, describing him as a man who took up “the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalization in Nigeria.”

“Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay,” he said.

The activist also called on political and community leaders across the country—particularly those from the South-East—to join the demand for Kanu’s freedom.

“I once again call on all political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join this noble cause,” Sowore stated. “In particular, I invite my brothers and sisters from the South East Mr. Peter Obi, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, ALEX C OTTI, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Obiageli Ezekwesili, John Mbata of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide as well as Nigerians of conscience everywhere, to lend their voices to the call for justice and freedom.

“Nnamdi Kanu should be set free.And I remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilizing for justice and freedom in this matter.”

PlatinumPost reports that Kanu, leader of IPOB,  was first arrested in October 2015 by the Department of State Services (DSS) and charged with treasonable felony over his campaign for the secession of the South-East region. He was later granted bail in April 2017 but fled the country after his home in Abia State was raided by the military during Operation Python Dance.

In June 2021, Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria under controversial circumstances described by his lawyers as “extraordinary rendition.” Since his return, he has been held in the custody of the DSS in Abuja while facing multiple counts of treason and terrorism-related offences before the Federal High Court.

His trial has been marked by a series of adjournments and legal disputes over jurisdiction, bail applications, and compliance with court orders. In October 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered his release and dismissed the charges on grounds that his rendition from Kenya was unlawful. However, the Federal Government appealed the ruling, and the Supreme Court later set aside the order, allowing his trial to continue.

Kanu’s supporters and several human rights groups have repeatedly demanded his unconditional release, arguing that his continued detention violates both domestic and international law.