The Special Counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, has made a passionate plea for Kanu’s release, stating that his continued detention is more political than legal.

Ejimakor made the appeal in a statement on Sunday amidst growing concerns about Kanu’s prolonged detention despite court orders granting him bail.

He pointed out that there is a subsisting Federal High Court judgment that declared Kanu’s rendition and detention unconstitutional, as well as two international tribunal pronouncements that have made similar declarations.

The lawyer argued that Kanu’s continued detention is being orchestrated by some elements who are using the fallacy that it furthers national security.

However, Ejimakor countered that the evidence on the ground proves the opposite, as the vaunted national security has actually suffered significantly in the Southeast region following Kanu’s rendition in 2021.

Ejimakor urged President Bola Tinubu not to listen to those advising him against releasing Kanu, emphasizing that such advice is based on false notions of national security or slippery legality.

“President Ahmed Tinubu should be wary of anybody that advises him against releasing Kanu, pivoting on some false notion of national security or even some slippery legality. Nothing can be further from the truth,” he said.

“The plain truth is that the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is markedly illegal and constitutes a significant burden on national security. It is also politically risky and has become unsustainable to boot.”

Recall that the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also called for Kanu’s unconditional release, citing human rights violations in his case, including arbitrary detention and denial of fair trial rights.

Despite this, Kanu remains in detention, sparking controversy and agitation among his supporters, politicians, monarchs and Southeast leaders.