The Directorate of Legal Affairs, Research and Global Communications of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on journalists and media houses across Nigeria to uphold professionalism and focus on the detailed legal arguments presented by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, during the recent court hearing in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
Speaking at the weekend, IPOB’s legal representative, Onyedikachi Ifedi, Esq., expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate media silence regarding Agabi’s compelling submissions at the Federal High Court, Abuja, last Thursday. He cautioned journalists against falling into the trap of sensationalism and propaganda promoted by the government’s legal team.
According to Ifedi, Agabi raised fundamental legal and constitutional questions that deserve national attention. These include: “Who are the families of the over 170 alleged security agents said to have been killed? Why has no family testified in court? Which individual has come forward to say they were incited by Mazi Kanu’s broadcasts? Who authored the unsigned death certificates presented by the Department of State Services (DSS)?”
Agabi, in his submission, reportedly challenged the prosecution to present any forensic pathologist or investigator linking any death directly to IPOB or Kanu. He maintained that no victim or family member had testified in court to support the government’s claims.
“Self-determination is not a crime. No Nigerian law criminalizes the call for Biafra. Free speech—even if fiery—is not terrorism. No direct evidence has linked Mazi Kanu’s words to acts of violence,” Agabi submitted, according to Ifedi.
The IPOB legal team also criticized what they termed the media’s role in amplifying “laughable and unsubstantiated” government claims. “Since when did saying ‘the world will stand still’ amount to terrorism? Should government officials who make similar threats be imprisoned too?” the statement queried.
Ifedi challenged Nigerian media outlets to publish the court submissions made by Chief Agabi in full. “We dare every media house to report, verbatim, that all five prosecution witnesses were DSS agents, none of whom presented direct evidence. The documents tendered were unsigned and unauthenticated. No forensic expert or victim appeared in court,” he said.
He concluded by warning that “well-scripted propaganda cannot replace facts, evidence, or the rule of law,” and described the federal government’s case against Kanu as “legally unsustainable, morally bankrupt, and politically vindictive.”
The call comes amid renewed scrutiny over the prolonged detention and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, who has consistently maintained his innocence and insists that his actions are rooted in the right to self-determination.