Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has announced a ₦1 million reward for any Nigerian law school student who can provide a legal authority where a judge granted a stay of release for a person acquitted by the court.
This challenge was revealed by Kanu’s legal team, led by his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, alongside Jude Ugwuanyi, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, and Mandela Umegborogu, during a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of Kanu, Ejiofor said:
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu pledges to give any law student in any Nigerian university the sum of One Million Naira (₦1,000,000) if such a student finds any precedent in criminal proceedings where an acquitted person was restrained from enjoying their freedom through a stay of execution.
“It is an illegality that will haunt Nigeria for as long as life endures. It was granted because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of Igbo descent and must suffer, regardless of what the law stipulates.”
The legal team reiterated that Kanu’s continued detention is unlawful and unsupported by any court ruling.
Ejiofor added:
“It is worth noting that Onyendu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) is illegal and not based on any court order. Recall that Onyendu was initially remanded on the grounds that he allegedly jumped bail.
“However, the Court of Appeal quashed all charges against Onyendu for lack of jurisdiction and violations of the Extradition Acts of both Kenya and Nigeria.
“Despite this, Justice Tsamani of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, unlawfully granted an order staying the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“This order is unprecedented and, in the history of jurisprudence worldwide, no acquitted person has ever been denied their release through a stay of execution.”
