The legal team representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned remarks made by a man identified as Chigozie Nnabugwu, who allegedly urged the Federal Government to kill the detained separatist leader, describing the statement as unlawful, reckless and a threat to life.
The demand followed comments made by Nnabugwu during an interview on a live broadcast on Monday, where he argued that normalcy would return to the South-East if Kanu was killed.
According to him, “If Nnamdi Kanu is dead today, if the Government of Nigeria will kill Nnamdi Kanu, trust me, normalcy will start coming, and that’s what every Igbo man prays for.”
He reportedly added that addressing the root causes of violence remained key to lasting stability in the South-East.
The comments, however, triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians rejecting the suggestion and insisting that Kanu’s fate should remain within the confines of the law.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, described the remarks as a call for extrajudicial killing and demanded an immediate public retraction from Nnabugwu as well as an apology from the Television station.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team hereby strongly condemns the statement made by one Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu on …, in which he publicly urged the Government of Nigeria to kill our client for ‘normalcy to return to the Southeast,’” the statement read.
Ejimakor said the comments were reckless, irresponsible and capable of inciting violence.
“To be sure, this call for extrajudicial killing is reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful. And it constitutes a clear threat to life and risks inciting a breakdown of public order.”
He argued that the statement appeared to violate provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
“The call strains the boundaries set under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the knowing or intentional transmission of messages via electronic means, including those amplified on broadcast platforms and social media, that pose a threat to life or are intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.”
According to him, the offence carries “a fine of up to ₦7 million or imprisonment of up to three years or both.”
The lawyer also warned that additional criminal liabilities could arise under the Criminal Code for incitement to violence and related offences.
Ejimakor further accused the media house of providing a platform for inflammatory comments capable of threatening public peace.
“By airing and platforming this inflammatory content without due regard for its potential to incite violence or threaten public peace, …TV may face regulatory sanctions for breach of broadcast codes on incitement and public order.”
He added that broadcasters who enable hate speech or calls for unlawful killings could face regulatory sanctions and other legal consequences.
The legal team also argued that demanding Kanu’s execution while court proceedings concerning him remain pending amounted to interference with the judicial process.
The PUNCH