The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government of exploiting the detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for financial gain.
The group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, made the claim while referencing a past statement by former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who alleged that each of Kanu’s court appearances costs the government ₦500 million.
This statement comes ahead of Kanu’s upcoming trial on Friday, March 21, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. His case was recently reassigned to Justice Omotosho following an indefinite adjournment by Justice Binta Nyako.
In a statement, IPOB strongly condemned what it described as the Nigerian government’s “corrupt and exploitative scheme”, accusing it of using Kanu’s prolonged detention as a means to siphon public funds.
“It is an outrageous travesty that every court appearance of our leader—a mere five-minute drive from the DSS detention facility—costs Nigerians over ₦500 million,” the statement read.
IPOB alleged that since Kanu’s extraordinary rendition and detention in June 2021, he has been taken to court 11 times, amounting to a staggering ₦5.5 billion spent on transportation alone. The group accused the government of embezzling funds under the guise of legal proceedings, benefiting security agencies and judiciary officials.
Furthermore, IPOB criticized the DSS for denying Kanu basic rights, including new clothing, despite the supposed allocation of funds for his welfare.
“For nearly four years, he has been forced to wear the same Fendi outfit he was abducted in—a symbol of the torture and degradation he has endured,” the statement added.
The group called on the international community and human rights organizations to hold the Nigerian government accountable, describing the prolonged detention as “a national disgrace and an economic burden on suffering Nigerians.”
IPOB vowed to continue pushing for Kanu’s release, stating that those profiting from the situation “will eventually face justice.”