In a rare action, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), tendered an apology to the Nigerian judiciary during his last appearance in court. The move has been described by many stakeholders as a pathway to the much-sought diplomatic solution to his detention.
Kanu tendered the apology through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, before Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court, especially over his recent attacks on Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court.
During the court outing, Kanu had apologized to the legal team of the Nigerian government led by Adegboyega Awomolo for attacking Justice Binta Nyako.
Kanu has been on trial for about 10 years over his agitation for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra.
In September 2024, Kanu, while appearing before Justice Nyako for terrorism-related charges, had caused an uproar in open court when he challenged the judge to recuse herself from his trial.
Speaking from the dock of the courtroom, Kanu interrupted proceedings and announced that he no longer had confidence in her and demanded that she recuse herself immediately.
Accusing Nyako of bias, Kanu had said: “Justice Binta Nyako is using her position for personal gain. Her son and her husband are facing corruption charges. And they (the Nigerian Government) told them (the judge and the court) that if they convict me (they will free the son and the husband).”
“They (Nigerian Government) sent her to my case so they can release or smoothen the pathway for the husband and the son.”
However, Agabi described Kanu as a good man while pleading that there should be room for errors, and they must strive to save and not destroy.
Commenting on Kanu’s apology, activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam said the apology, which indicates meekness in court, would go a long way in currying favor for the defendant.
“I will first of all commend Nnamdi Kanu and his family for bringing Kanu Agabi into his defense. It was a thoughtful act, and I must commend them for that.”
“I must tell you that the apology rendered by Agabi on behalf of Nnamdi Kanu to the court is a commendable act, it’s the best way to start his defense considering what happened at the last adjourned date with the previous judge.”
“Nnamdi Kanu needs to be clothed with a personality of meekness, a personality that deserves favor from the court, having displayed such an outburst before the previous court, and that is what Agabi has done.”
Kanu’s lawyers before Agabi were emotional, Idam also accused, and never showed any sign of neutrality.
“One of the very important reasons I agree that Kanu has done well for bringing Agabi into his defense is that Kanu’s legal team before now was constituted by lawyers who are hardly dispassionate about this matter.”
“They are hardly neutral about his defense; these are lawyers and in their own rights, activists, whose approach to the defense is like Kanu.”
“They see themselves in the shoes of Kanu; they are almost emotional like Kanu. So, if you have lawyers like that, it will be difficult to properly defend that client.”
Idam also pointed out that Kanu’s apology was not an admittance of guilt or a confession of crime before the court.
“The apology is not an admittance, admission, neither is it a confession before the court.”
“It does not mean that he has confessed to the crime that he’s being charged with.”
“It was an act of reference and respect to the court, giving his personality and outburst which has created an impression around his personality.”
Kanu’s continued detention serves no purpose, the activist lawyer called for the release of the IPOB leader, stressing that.
“I have always said that the Nigerian government should kindly consider that the release of Kanu is necessary; they should consider that the continuous detention of Kanu serves no purpose.”
“It does not serve the interest of the peace and unity of Nigeria, nor does it serve the interest of anybody or any political interest in Nigeria.”
“This young man has suffered. Apart from the fact that he has suffered in detention, the question is – what purpose has his detention served?”
“The crisis in the Southeast has tripled, and it has no connection with his detention, and I can tell you that the Nigerian government will achieve more if Kanu is released than having him in detention because he would be the one to speak to them.”
On his part, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, stressed that Kanu’s trial is political and requires a political solution.
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