The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has declared its leader Nnamdi Kanu, “a prisoner of conscience”, stating that he committed no crime.
IPOB which made the pronouncement on Friday, in a statement signed by its spokesperson Emma Powerful, asked the international community to compel the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu.
The IPOB leader who was seized in Kenya and illegally repatriated to Nigeria in July 2021 where he faces charges of treason and other unfounded crimes for calling for a referendum on an independent state known as Biafra, is still held captive in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS).
While demanding Kanu’s release, IPOB noted that self-determination recognized by the African Union Charter which Nigeria is a signatory, is not a crime.
The separatist group said its leader “committed no offence known to law. He only advocated self determination for his people and all oppressed peoples in Nigeria.
“He did so peacefully by articulating the decades of oppression, marginalisation, inequality, Apartheid, brutality and genocide to which his people and all oppressed peoples in Nigeria have been subjected.
“And in light of those grievances he demanded a referendum on self determination and self rule for the indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and all aggrieved groups and lovers of freedom.
“In doing so he bore no malice nor hate against any group. He only demanded self determination as enshrined in the African charter and the United Nations charter both of which Nigeria is signatory.
“In peacefully articulating the grievances of an injured and oppressed people and in seeking self determination for all such peoples; Nnamdi Kanu broke no law within or outside Nigeria.
“The indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has been, and remains a peaceful organisation, devoid of any hate or violence and totally committed to its aims and objectives through peaceful democratic means as recognised by international law.
“Having regards therefore to all of the above and his continued extrajudicial detention; we hereby declare Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a “Prisoner Of Conscience”.
“We do so because like Nelson Mandela, he broke no law nor committed any offence. He only advocated freedom for his people from decades long Apartheid level oppression and tyranny.”
While condemning the human rights violations, extrajudicial killings and illegal incarcerations perpetrated by the Nigerian authorities, IPOB called for the intervention of the United Nations, African Union and the European Union.