…Awards N119m In Damages
In a landmark decision, the High Court in Nairobi, Kenya, has declared the abduction and forced extradition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Nigeria in June 2021 as illegal and unconstitutional.
Justice E.C. Mwita ruled on June 24, 2025, that the actions of both the Kenyan and Nigerian governments violated Kanu’s fundamental human rights, awarding him KSh 10 million (approximately ₦119.5 million) in damages against the Kenyan government.
“Having considered the pleadings and arguments by parties, the decisions relied on, the Constitution and the law, I come to the following conclusions,” the judge stated.
“First, the government of Kenya violated the Constitution and Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s rights and fundamental freedoms.”
“Having entered Kenya lawfully, he was subject to the protection offered by the Constitution of Kenya 2010, and the government of Kenya had an obligation to uphold and protect his rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Justice Mwita detailed that Kanu was abducted, held in solitary confinement, tortured, and denied basic needs before being flown out of the country illegally.
“Mr. Nnamdi was, however, abducted, kept in solitude confinement, tortured and denied food and medication, a breach of basic rights.”
“He was chained, humiliated, ridiculed and held in contempt and later forcibly removed from Kenya without following the law in violation of his rights and fundamental freedoms for which the government of Kenya is liable.”
The ruling condemned Kanu’s removal as a breach of constitutional rights:
“A declaration is hereby issued that the abduction and subsequent forcible removal of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria was in violation of the laws of Kenya; his rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of movement and security of the person guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and, therefore, unconstitutional and illegal.”
“An order for compensation is hereby issued awarding Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu general damages of Kshs 10,000,000 against the Attorney General of Kenya on behalf of the government of Kenya for the violation of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu’s constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Reacting to the judgment, IPOB described it as a “judicial earthquake” and vindication of their longstanding claims about Kanu’s illegal rendition.
In a statement signed by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, the group declared:
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wishes to formally announce a resounding judicial earthquake that has shaken the legal foundations of the fraudulent rendition of our leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
“In a historic, courageous, and landmark judgement delivered on June 24, 2025, the High Court of Kenya, sitting in Nairobi, found that the abduction, incommunicado detention, torture, and illegal transfer of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under Kenyan and international law.”
IPOB further characterized the operation as a “criminal act of state-sponsored international terrorism” involving high-ranking Nigerian and Kenyan officials.
“This judgement vindicates our consistent position that what transpired in Nairobi in June 2021 was not extradition but extraordinary rendition — a criminal act of state-sponsored international terrorism involving the highest authorities of the Nigerian and Kenyan governments.”
The group praised the lead counsel in the case, Professor PLO Lumumba, and Justice Mwita for their courage and integrity:
“We are grateful beyond measure to the brilliant legal leadership of Professor PLO Lumumba, lead counsel in the Kenyan litigation, whose courage, clarity, and tenacity led to this monumental legal victory.”
“To Justice E.C. Mwita, we say thank you for your judicial bravery. To Professor PLO Lumumba and his team, we salute your exceptional advocacy. To the oppressed peoples of the world, this is your victory, a warning to tyrants that international borders will no longer shield criminal regimes from justice.”
IPOB insisted Kanu committed no crime and reiterated his lawful entry into Kenya as a British citizen.
“He was abducted in broad daylight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by agents of Nigeria’s secret police in collusion with rogue elements of the Kenyan security apparatus. He was chained, tortured, denied medication, and eventually bundled onto a private jet and flown illegally to Abuja without any extradition hearing or judicial warrant.”
The group promised to pursue accountability against all actors involved in the rendition—naming former Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as former Attorney General Abubakar Malami.
“This verdict places a permanent and indelible legal stain on the records of former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and their accomplices.”
“Let it be known that this is not the end. This is the beginning of a global accountability campaign. All those responsible — in Kenya, Nigeria, or elsewhere — shall be pursued to the ends of the earth under the universal principle of accountability for crimes against humanity.”
