Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer threaten legal action over death call
The legal team representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned remarks made by a man identified as Chigozie Nnabugwu, who allegedly urged the Federal Government to kill the detained separatist leader, describing the statement as unlawful, reckless and a threat to life.
The demand followed comments made by Nnabugwu during an interview on a live broadcast on Monday, where he argued that normalcy would return to the South-East if Kanu was killed.
According to him, “If Nnamdi Kanu is dead today, if the Government of Nigeria will kill Nnamdi Kanu, trust me, normalcy will start coming, and that’s what every Igbo man prays for.”
He reportedly added that addressing the root causes of violence remained key to lasting stability in the South-East.
The comments, however, triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians rejecting the suggestion and insisting that Kanu’s fate should remain within the confines of the law.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, described the remarks as a call for extrajudicial killing and demanded an immediate public retraction from Nnabugwu as well as an apology from the Television station.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team hereby strongly condemns the statement made by one Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu on …, in which he publicly urged the Government of Nigeria to kill our client for ‘normalcy to return to the Southeast,’” the statement read.
Ejimakor said the comments were reckless, irresponsible and capable of inciting violence.
“To be sure, this call for extrajudicial killing is reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful. And it constitutes a clear threat to life and risks inciting a breakdown of public order.”
He argued that the statement appeared to violate provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
“The call strains the boundaries set under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the knowing or intentional transmission of messages via electronic means, including those amplified on broadcast platforms and social media, that pose a threat to life or are intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.”
According to him, the offence carries “a fine of up to ₦7 million or imprisonment of up to three years or both.”
The lawyer also warned that additional criminal liabilities could arise under the Criminal Code for incitement to violence and related offences.
Ejimakor further accused the media house of providing a platform for inflammatory comments capable of threatening public peace.
“By airing and platforming this inflammatory content without due regard for its potential to incite violence or threaten public peace, …TV may face regulatory sanctions for breach of broadcast codes on incitement and public order.”
He added that broadcasters who enable hate speech or calls for unlawful killings could face regulatory sanctions and other legal consequences.
The legal team also argued that demanding Kanu’s execution while court proceedings concerning him remain pending amounted to interference with the judicial process.
“Demanding an extrajudicial execution while legal proceedings remain before the court directly subverts the judicial process and potentially constitutes actionable contempt of court,” the statement said.
Ejimakor disclosed that Kanu’s legal team was reviewing available legal options and issued what he described as a pre-action notice.
“We hereby demand that Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu issue an immediate public retraction of his statement, and that …TV tender an unqualified televised apology for airing such dangerous content.”
He added, “This Press Release serves as a pre-action notice of all legal actions that will ensue if Mr. Nnabugwu and ….TV fail to take immediate remedial measures.”
The interview also sparked widespread reactions on X, with many users criticising Nnabugwu’s comments.
An X user, #Isikotebuogbaya, wrote, “NOBODY can kill Nnamdi Kanu! They won’t dare! The ‘Chigozie Nnabugwu’ begging APC govt to kill Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t know what he signed up for.”
Another user, #TemitopeOl56085, questioned the comments, writing, “Gumi, Sunday Igboho are working freely today. Terrorists are getting rehabilitation and taxpayers’ money spent on them. But Nnamdi Kanu that is fighting for his people should be killed? From an Igbo man.”
The same #Isikotebuogbaya, in another post, stated, “An Igbo man wants Tinubu to kill Nnamdi Kanu… Yet an Igbo man is urging Tinubu to kill Nnamdi Kanu! I lack words to analyse this.”
User #Ndukwe__Wisdom also criticised the remarks, writing, “Should anything happen to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu we know people to hold accountable for it. I believe the Nigerian government knows better than hurting MNK.”
Lawyer Moses Ugwumadu, posting via #MosesUgwum75755, wrote, “To Nd’Igbo worldwide, let it be on record that one Chigozie Nnabugwu is advocating for the death of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
Another user, identified as #Czu21, argued that while Kanu and Finland-based Simon Ekpa had been accused of inciting violence, “that doesn’t mean they should be killed as is being suggested. Root causes include deep poverty.”
Similarly, #IViktarIdam argued that killing Kanu would worsen separatist agitation.
“This Chigozie Nnabugwu is not educated because he doesn’t understand that the invasion of South-East communities by the Nigerian military has created more Biafran agitators. Thousands of Nnamdi Kanus have been birthed since 2020,” the user wrote.
The post continued, “If you kill Nnamdi Kanu like the man said, you will give birth to more agitation and Biafran agitation will rise even more. Equity and justice is the solution.”
Kanu has remained in the custody of the Federal Government since he was returned to Nigeria in 2021 and is currently standing trial on terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His continued detention has remained a subject of political and legal debate, with his legal team repeatedly demanding his release while the Federal Government insists the prosecution should continue.
