On Monday, October 27, 2025, the media were flooded with the news that “the Leader of the the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, abandoned his earlier plan to open his defence and instead opted to file a no-case submission before the Federal High Court in Abuja”.
It added that Kanu informed the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, that after reviewing the case file, that he, Kanu had concluded that “there was no valid charge against him and that the prosecution had failed to establish any prima facie case”. And that proceeding with the defence would amount to validating what he described as an “unlawful and baseless prosecution.”
For eight years, I served the Igbo; first as the President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State Chapter and later as the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Throughout the eight years, I was at the centre of discussions on the welfare of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Thus, when he was granted bail in April 2017, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the then President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, was amongst the first few Igbo dignitaries that held intimate discussions with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. On his arrival to Chief Nwodo house at GRA, Enugu, I was the person that received Kanu and took him in, to see Nwodo. We discussed warmly and took pictures.
When there was a conflict between Ohanaeze and IPOB, I was at Ukpor, Anambra State, in the country home of Chief Mbazulike Amechi, of the blessed memory. The Ohanaeze delegation was led by Chief Damian Okeke Ogene and the IPOB delegation was led by Barr. Aloy Ejimakor. At the end of the invaluable discussion, Chief Amechi concluded that both the Ohanaeze and IPOB had a convergence on the Igbo predicament, but a divergence on the approach to the solution to the Igbo plight in Nigeria. Chief Amaechi could not withhold his joy as two groups who had seen each other through a pigeon hole, turned round to embrace themselves in a jubilation galore.
I also worked closely with Professor George Obiozor, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and later Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu. As the media chief of Ohanaeze, I issued uncountable press releases in defence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, some of which can still be assessed on the net. At a point, I warned the federal government that “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should not die in custody” —
— — Kanu must not die in custody, Ohanaeze warns. The Guardian Nigeria News https://guardian.ng ” news ” kanu-must-not-die-in-custo…21 Sept 2022 — Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, warned that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, should not die in custody of the Directorate of
— -Write your name in gold by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, …https://www.vanguardngr.com ” News 3 Jan 2025 — President Bola Tinubu would have written his name in gold if he orders the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra .
— — Nnamdi Kanu: Malami Has Crossed the Red Line bvi channel 1 https://bvichannel1.com ” nnamdi-kanu-malami-has-cr… 27 Oct 2021 — The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the Leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu are united against the orchestrated marginalization of the Igbo in one-…and many others….
In fact, the last official assignment by Chief Iwuanyanwu was when he went to the custody to see MNK. The security operatives, without regards to age and status, bluntly refused to allow the vehicle of Chief Iwuanyanwu to a reasonable work distance. Iwuanyanwu was not discouraged, in the service of the Igbo, he trekked a very stressful distance in order to see MNK, and as they say, the rest is history.
Some lawyers have offered their views about the decision by MNK to defend himself and that there is no valid case against him. One Barrister Inibehe Effiong has warned that Kanu made a risky decision. According to Effiong, “I don’t know who’s advising Kanu, or what his motivation is, but he is taking a very risky decision” Adding that “it would be highly risky for Kanu to refuse to open his defence, given that the court has already dismissed his “no-case submission.” Barrister Effiong cautioned that “by declining to enter his defence, the court may rely entirely on the evidence presented by the prosecution, which could ultimately lead to his conviction and imprisonment”.
The presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho advised Kanu “to consult people, who are knowledgeable in criminal prosecution to advise you on how to proceed”. In the words of the Judge, “I know you are educated, but you are not a lawyer, you need to consult experts in the field. Please, make adequate consultation. This is not economics. This is criminal prosecution” Justice Omotosho added; “I am begging you in the name of God Almighty, my brother, make adequate consultation with experts in criminal law to fully understand the legal implications of your decision”.
I am not a Lawyer but I am aware that if an allegation of any kind is levelled against me, I will be expected to defend myself, especially if I am offered the opportunity to do so.
I therefore reassure MNK that Nigerians of all ethnic groups, have never abandoned him. The Igbo of all categories have expressed solidarity with him. This one but many incarceration has been the concern of people from many parts of the globe. It is to this extent that MNK should not be left with some of his personal decisions. Understandably, some of the decisions are responses to the harsh stimuli engendered by his condition in the custody.
There is sufficient reason to believe that MNK has no valid case in the first place. However, it is my understanding that a legal expert is needed in the process, to argue it out.
I therefore request the eminent patriotic Lawyers to rally round MNK, to make haste, and take heed of advice from legal luminaries.
Dr. Chiedozie Alex. Ogbonnia; Department of Political Science, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.
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