(DDM) – A civic rights group, Justice Minded (JM), has launched a scathing criticism against the Nigerian government over its continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as a direct assault on democracy and judicial integrity.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that in a strongly worded statement released by the group’s convener, Adeoye Ade-Adewunmi, JM condemned what it called the “blatant defiance of court orders” by the Nigerian authorities.
The organisation declared that Kanu’s prolonged detention, despite multiple court rulings ordering his release, represents “a dangerous precedent for executive impunity” and a mockery of the judiciary.
According to the statement, “This continued detention without lawful justification makes mockery of the Nigerian judiciary, sets a dangerous precedent for executive impunity, and signals that court rulings in Nigeria are mere suggestions rather than binding instruments of justice.”
The group noted that the Nigerian government’s handling of Kanu’s case has triggered a deep moral and constitutional crisis, eroding citizens’ faith in the rule of law.
It described the situation as “a moral crossroads” for Nigeria, where due process has been abandoned and court orders openly disobeyed.
“When a citizen is illegally abducted from another country, detained in violation of due process, and denied his constitutional rights, even after multiple court orders for his release, the nation stands at a moral crossroads,” the group said.
Justice Minded also questioned the message being sent to ordinary Nigerians who rely on the courts for justice.
“What message does this send to those who still believe in the judiciary? What does it say about our democracy when executive disobedience becomes normalised?” it asked.
The group further warned that selective obedience to court rulings amounts to “judicial sabotage” and signals “an alarming slide toward authoritarianism under a democratic façade.”
JM called on the Nigerian government to immediately and unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with existing court decisions, urging the authorities to respect the sanctity of the judiciary.
It also demanded accountability for government officials who continue to defy judicial pronouncements, describing such behavior as “state-sanctioned abuse.”
Highlighting the global implications, Justice Minded said Kanu’s illegal detention has become “a test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice, constitutionalism, and human rights.”
“The illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu is not merely a regional issue,” the statement read. “It reflects how far the nation is willing to go in undermining its democratic values.”
The organisation concluded with a stern message to those in power, reminding them that “power is transient, but justice is eternal.”
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu is not just about one man, it is about the soul of Nigeria’s democracy,” JM warned.
“It is time to obey the courts, respect the law, and free Nnamdi Kanu now,” the statement added.
Observers note that Kanu’s continued detention remains one of the most polarizing legal and political issues in Nigeria, fueling discontent across the South-East and sparking debates about the government’s commitment to constitutional governance.
Human rights advocates and international organisations have repeatedly urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate democratic maturity by enforcing judicial orders and restoring public trust in the justice system.