The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court of delivering a life-imprisonment sentence against its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in exchange for alleged monetary inducement and a promised elevation to the Court of Appeal.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group claimed it received “credible information” from an unnamed insider alleging that the judge was “swayed by monetary gain and a promotion offer” to pass what it described as an “unjust and politically motivated judgment.”
IPOB said it was not surprised by the allegations, insisting that Justice Omotosho’s conduct throughout the trial showed “bias, hostility, and a personal vendetta” against Kanu.
The group also accused senior lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) of “behaving like a prosecutor” instead of maintaining professional neutrality.
“Justice James Omotosho and Barrister Awomolo both assumed the role of prosecuting counsels and approached the case personally,” the statement read. IPOB alleged that both men acted under pressure from “those in authority determined to silence MNK.”
The group further claimed that during the proceedings, Kanu repeatedly demanded that the court specify the written law under which he was being tried. According to IPOB, the prosecution and the judge “failed to present any such law,” insisting that the life sentence was based on “a nullified and unconstitutional statute.”
IPOB argued that neither Kanu nor the group had violated any Nigerian or international laws, and said the case exposed deep-rooted corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary. The group cited past judicial promotions it believed were used to “reward judges” who ruled adversely against Kanu, including those who overturned the 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted him.
“It is regrettable that the Nigerian judiciary has become so corrupt that abolished and unwritten laws can be applied against a defendant if the judge has received a bribe or a tempting promotion offer,” the group said.
The organisation warned that if Justice Omotosho’s ruling is allowed to stand, it could set a dangerous precedent legitimising extraordinary rendition, unlawful abductions, and the application of “unwritten or abolished laws” in future cases.
“If this unlawful ruling against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is permitted to remain, the Nigerian government will have granted itself the authority to abduct any suspect without adhering to international extradition treaties,” the statement added.
IPOB called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), international judicial bodies, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Justice Omotosho’s conduct, particularly his alleged refusal to provide the written law referenced in his judgment. The group said it was prepared to present what it described as “evidence of the judge’s bias.”
“Injustice, exemplified by James Omotosho in the judiciary, is why President Trump labeled Nigeria a disgraced country,” IPOB concluded.
Leave a Reply