Kenneth Okonkwo criticises Nigerian justice system, calling for Nnamdi Kanu’s release after seven years in detention and urging political resolution
Kenneth Okonkwo criticises Nigerian justice system, saying it has failed the people by detaining Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, without a verdict for over seven years
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The actor and legal practitioner, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the statement on Monday during a live appearance on Channels Television.
He called for a political solution to Kanu’s continued incarceration, describing the situation as a gross failure in the dispensation of justice.
“A nation that detains a human being for more than seven years without concluding a trial is a nation failing its people,” Okonkwo stated. Quoting Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, he reiterated that every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. When it comes to crime, the law is clear: the accused must be tried within a reasonable time. Seven years in detention without a verdict is anything but reasonable,” he said, expressing frustration over what he called a deeply flawed judicial process.
Kanu, the embattled IPOB leader, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021.
Despite repeated court appearances, no final judgement has been passed. His prolonged detention continues to attract public outcry.
Earlier today in Abuja, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and a group of supporters staged a protest demanding Kanu’s immediate release, echoing similar calls made by high-profile figures including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and South-East governors.
Okonkwo argued that resolving Kanu’s case politically, rather than through drawn-out legal battles, would not only ease tensions in the South-East but also reaffirm the nation’s commitment to human rights and due process.
“The continued incarceration is breeding more resentment. If we are serious about national unity, this cannot continue,” he said.
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With Nigeria’s justice system under increasing scrutiny, Okonkwo’s bold remarks add to growing concerns over the rule of law and government accountability in high-profile cases.
