United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide Condemns Life Sentence Passed on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu — Says Judgment is Illegal, Biased, and Useless in Law

PRESS RELEASE

United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide, in Support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Condemns Life Sentence Passed on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu — Says Judgment is Illegal, Biased, and Useless in Law

Date: 22 November 2025

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide, in strong alignment with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the life sentence passed on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by Justice James Omotosho, describing the judgment as illegal, biased, unconstitutional, and fundamentally defective in law.

In a statement issued by Prof. Obasi Igwe, National Director of Media and Publicity, and endorsed by UNIEC Worldwide, the organisation appealed for calm and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a political solution as the only viable path to justice, peace, and national reconciliation.

The Director-General of UNIEC Worldwide, His Lordship (Bishop), Justice Alpha Ikpeama, expressed deep disappointment on behalf of the Igbo nation over what he described as a judgment “laden with inconsistencies, constitutional violations, and clear elements of ethnic bias.”

The organisation stated:

> “Beyond the legal questions, the Igbo nation is deeply troubled by the harsh and disproportionate treatment in this matter, which many believe reflects ethnic bias. Such perceptions erode trust in national institutions and strike at the dignity and collective integrity of the Igbo people.”

UNIEC further warned that insecurity in the Southeast has worsened significantly, with Kanu’s prolonged incarceration serving as a major catalyst for unrest and youth radicalization:

> “His continued detention has become a flashpoint for unrest and youth anger. Hardline responses will only escalate instability in the region.”

The organisation urged President Tinubu to urgently intervene in the interest of national unity:

> “Dialogue—not maximal punishment—remains the most credible path toward healing longstanding grievances, restoring calm in the Southeast, and fostering genuine national reconciliation.”

The groups emphasized that Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads and must choose fairness, justice, and constitutionalism in addressing issues affecting all nationalities.

WHY THE JUDGMENT IS ILLEGAL, BIASED, AND USELESS IN LAW

A detailed review of the judgment reveals grave procedural errors, constitutional breaches, and acts inconsistent with judicial integrity, summarised as follows:

1. FAILURE TO FIRST DECIDE JURISDICTION — RENDERING THE ENTIRE JUDGMENT VOID

Every criminal trial must begin with one question:

> Does the court have the legal authority (jurisdiction) to hear this case?

Kanu challenged the court’s jurisdiction, yet Justice Omotosho:

Refused to determine it,

Suppressed the challenge, and

Proceeded without resolving it.

A court cannot lawfully bypass a jurisdictional challenge.

Any judgment delivered without resolving jurisdiction is automatically null and void.

2. THE JUDGE TOLD KANU TO PUT ALL OBJECTIONS IN A FINAL ADDRESS — THEN BLOCKED THE FINAL ADDRESS

This amounts to procedural manipulation.

The judge instructed Kanu:

> “Put all jurisdictional objections in your final written address.”

But later:

Blocked the filing of final addresses

Delivered judgment without hearing those objections

This is a direct violation of fair hearing — a constitutional breach that renders the judgment worthless.

3. REFUSAL TO ISSUE WRITTEN RULINGS ON CRITICAL APPLICATIONS

Nigerian law requires judges to give written reasons for every ruling, especially on important motions.

Kanu filed applications relating to:

Illegal rendition

Repealed laws

Abuse of court process

Double criminality

Invalid charges

Justice Omotosho ignored all of them and issued no written rulings, an act that nullifies the judgment.

4. FORCING KANU TO TAKE A PLEA UNDER A REPEALED (DEAD) LAW

Kanu was charged under the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.

The 2022 Act replaced it.

Yet:

The court insisted on using the repealed law

Forced Kanu to plead under a “dead” statute

Criminal prosecution cannot be anchored on a law that no longer exists.

5. VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR WRITTEN AND VALID OFFENCES

The Constitution forbids:

> Punishing anyone for an offense not clearly defined in a valid written law.

Yet the judge:

Relied on allegations not contained in the charge

Used “facts” no witness ever testified to

Created accusations that never appeared in any document

This violates Sections 36 and 36(12) of the Constitution.

6. MISAPPLICATION OF A SAVINGS CLAUSE AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION

The judge relied on a “savings clause” in the new terrorism law to justify continuing the trial under the repealed 2013 law.

However:

A savings clause cannot override the Constitution

A repealed law remains repealed

You cannot continue prosecution under a nonexistent law

This is a fundamental constitutional error.

7. AVOIDANCE OF THE MANDATORY TEST OF “DOUBLE CRIMINALITY”

Since the government alleged crimes committed in Kenya, the court must determine:

> “Is the alleged act a crime in Kenya?”

Yet:

No evidence from Kenya was provided

No witness from Kenya

No police report or document

The judge refused to address this requirement, stripping the court of jurisdiction.

8. DENIAL OF FAIR HEARING — AUTOMATIC NULLIFICATION

Blocking objections, refusing rulings, and denying final addresses amount to:

A breach of fair hearing

Violation of natural justice

Constitutional illegality

Once fair hearing is denied, the entire judgment collapses.

9. INSERTION OF FICTIONAL STORIES ABOUT BOMBING US/UK EMBASSIES

Justice Omotosho inserted a narrative alleging that Kanu planned to bomb the British and US embassies during #EndSARS.

FACT:

It was never charged

Never alleged

Never testified to

Never mentioned in any document

Judges cannot invent evidence.

Doing so constitutes judicial misconduct.

10. OVERALL CONCLUSION: THE JUDGMENT IS LEGALLY WORTHLESS

In summary, the judgment is:

Unconstitutional

Procedurally defective

Jurisdictionally void

Based on a repealed law

Rooted in invented evidence

Devoid of fair hearing

Therefore:

> The judgment cannot stand. It will collapse on appeal.

It exposes the judge to disciplinary scrutiny.

SIGNATORIES

For United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide

His Lordship, Justice Alpha Ikpeama

Director-General, UNIEC Worldwide

Prof. Obasi Igwe

National Director, Media & Publicity

UNIEC Worldwide