A Kenyan High Court has ruled that the 2021 abduction and transfer of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from Kenya to Nigeria was illegal and violated his human rights.
The judgment, delivered by Justice E.C. Mwita, found both the Kenyan and Nigerian governments guilty of violating Kanu’s constitutional rights. The court ordered the Kenyan government to pay KSh10 million (approximately $78,000) in damages.
Justice Mwita stated that Kanu had lawfully entered Kenya and was entitled to protection under the Kenyan Constitution. However, instead of legal proceedings, he was “abducted, held in solitary confinement, tortured, and secretly flown to Nigeria,” the judge said.
The court ruled that Kanu’s detention without communication, and the denial of food, water, and medical care, were serious breaches of his fundamental rights. It also confirmed that his transfer to Nigeria did not follow legal extradition processes and therefore violated both Kenyan and international law.
In response, IPOB welcomed the verdict, describing it as a “resounding judicial earthquake” and a major vindication of their stance that Kanu was unlawfully renditioned.
A statement from IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, accused both governments of engaging in “state-sponsored international terrorism” and vowed to pursue global accountability.
“He was abducted in broad daylight at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, tortured, and flown to Abuja without any legal hearing,” the group said.
IPOB also thanked Professor PLO Lumumba, who led the legal case in Kenya, and praised Justice Mwita for his courage in delivering the judgment.
The group warned that the ruling marks the beginning of an international campaign to hold all those involved accountable, including former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
“All those responsible will be pursued under international law for crimes against humanity,” the statement concluded.
Recall that Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in June 2021 and brought to Nigeria under mysterious circumstances. His detention sparked controversy and global calls for due process. Kanu faces charges of treason in Nigeria, though his lawyers and supporters argue he is being targeted for political reasons.