The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned what it calls a “desperate and disgraceful” attempt by the Nigerian government to associate its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, with the 2020 #EndSARS movement.
The group described the move as a “judicial scandal” that exposes deep flaws in Nigeria’s justice delivery system.
Reacting to proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 19, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stated that the trial represents “an indictment of the Nigerian state’s reckless abuse of legal process.” He further accused the authorities of manipulating the judiciary to suppress dissent and disguise political persecution as legal prosecution.
Kanu, who was re-arrested under controversial circumstances in 2021, remains in detention facing terrorism-related charges before Justice James Omotosho. However, IPOB argues that the ongoing trial has become “a theatre of deceit.”
At the most recent hearing, the prosecution concluded its case following the cross-examination of its final witness, identified as PW5-EEE. IPOB maintains that the witness, said to be an intelligence officer, failed to present any credible evidence linking Kanu to criminal activity.
“So damning was his performance that even the prosecution’s lead counsel, Chief Awomolo, SAN, cautioned him openly, as Justice Omotosho was visibly aggravated,” the group’s statement read.
The defence, led by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, has indicated its intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the government has failed to establish any legal basis for the charges. The case has been adjourned to July 18 for the adoption of final written arguments.
IPOB’s strongest criticism came in response to what it describes as an attempt by the government to falsely link Kanu to the #EndSARS protests—a grassroots movement that began in late 2020 to protest police brutality.
PW5-EEE reportedly testified that Kanu incited the protests through online speeches. IPOB dismissed the claim as “morally obscene” and “intellectually bankrupt,” insisting that the protests originated organically in Ughelli, Delta State, without any involvement from Kanu.
“There is no shred of evidence-no—link, no trigger, no communication-that supports this ridiculous theory,” Powerful said.
The group further alleged that the prosecution fabricated evidence, including questionable autopsy reports and unsigned coroner documents, in a bid to falsely attribute the deaths of security agents in the South-East to IPOB.
“No names, no ranks, no stations, and no death certificates were presented, and the so-called assessment report was conveniently produced only in June 2025, not at the time the events allegedly occurred,” the statement added.
Emma Powerful also criticized sections of the media, accusing them of selectively reporting courtroom developments while ignoring inconsistencies that have surfaced during the trial.
“Kanu is not on trial for violence; he is on trial for daring to speak truth to power and for demanding justice for a long-oppressed people. The government’s case is not just weak; it is a monument to state-sponsored falsehood,” IPOB declared.
As final arguments approach, the group is calling on citizens and international observers to obtain certified court records to assess for themselves how the justice process is unfolding.
