Okonkwo Slams FG Over Kanu’s Prolonged Detention, Demands His Release

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised the Federal Government over the continued detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Okonkwo described Kanu’s seven-year detention without conviction as a “failure of justice” and a violation of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence.

“A nation that detains someone for over seven years without reaching a verdict is failing in the dispensation of justice,” he said.

Kanu, who was re-arrested in 2021 and has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), has seen his case drag on despite growing calls for his release from political leaders and activists.

Okonkwo said such prolonged trials erode faith in the judicial system and called for either Kanu’s immediate release or a political resolution.

“No democracy should tolerate indefinite detention. If there’s no case against him, release him or find a political solution,” he added.

His comments add to mounting appeals for the government to end the prolonged trial, which continues to fuel tension across the South-East.