African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has slammed the Federal Government over Nnamdi Kanu’s prolonged detention.
While speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Okonkwo described Kanu’s continued incarceration as a “failure of justice” and a violation of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
“A nation that detains a human being for more than seven years and still cannot reach a judgment as to the culpability of his alleged crime is a nation that is failing in the dispensation of justice,” he said.
Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in detention since June 2021.
Okonkwo argued that Kanu’s continued detention without a timely judgment undermines the justice system and public trust.
“A nation that detains a human being for more than seven years and still cannot reach a judgment as to the culpability of his alleged crime is a nation that is failing in the dispensation of justice.”
He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and mandates that cases be tried within a reasonable time.
Okonkwo urged the government to either release Kanu or seek a political solution, citing the need for compassion and maturity in handling the situation.
“If you do not find anything against this man, release him or reach a political solution.”
Okonkwo’s statement echoes growing demands from civil society and politicians for a peaceful and lawful resolution to Kanu’s case.