The National Judicial Council (NJC) has stepped forward to address swirling rumors regarding the potential release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), allegedly ordered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. In a statement issued on Thursday, March 20, 2025, the NJC firmly debunked claims that the CJN had directed Kanu’s immediate release and repatriation to Kenya, labeling the reports as baseless and a product of imagination rather than fact. This clarification comes as Kanu’s legal saga continues to captivate public attention, with his next court appearance scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025.
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NJC Dismisses Release Claims as Fabrication
The NJC’s statement, signed by Kemi Ogedengbe, the Deputy Director of Information, was unequivocal in its rejection of the circulating narrative. “The Council wishes to state that the media report is false and a figment of the imagination of the writer, as there are no court proceedings, decisions, or judgments where such statements ascribed to His Lordship were made,” the statement read. The council emphasized that Justice Kekere-Ekun has neither presided over Kanu’s case at the Supreme Court nor issued any directive related to his release or repatriation.
The rumor, which gained traction across various media platforms, suggested that the CJN had not only ordered Kanu’s freedom but also penned a formal apology to the Kenyan government for his arrest and trial—a claim the NJC categorically denied. “His Lordship, the Hon. CJN, never wrote any formal letter to the Kenya Government or Kenya High Commission apologizing on the issue of arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and trial,” Ogedengbe clarified. The NJC urged the public to disregard these assertions, calling them a “fake story” devoid of judicial grounding.
Context of Kanu’s Ongoing Legal Battle
Nnamdi Kanu, facing a seven-count treasonable felony charge from the Federal Government, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021. His case has seen multiple twists, including a Court of Appeal ruling in October 2022 that ordered his release, only for the Supreme Court to overturn that decision in December 2023, allowing the trial to proceed. The latest development saw Justice Binta Nyako recuse herself in September 2024 after Kanu alleged bias, prompting the reassignment of the case to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu’s legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, has praised the CJN for her administrative intervention in ensuring the case’s reassignment despite initial resistance from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. Ejimakor confirmed receiving correspondence from the CJN’s office, which facilitated the transfer—a move Kanu’s supporters hailed as a step toward a fair trial. Kanu is set to enter a fresh plea before Justice Omotosho on March 21, 2025, a date that coincides with growing public interest in his fate.
Debunking the Repatriation Narrative
The notion of Kanu’s repatriation to Kenya—a country where he was apprehended in a controversial rendition—added an extra layer of intrigue to the rumors. However, the NJC’s statement dismantles this narrative entirely, asserting that no such diplomatic or judicial action has been taken by the CJN. Kanu’s arrest in Kenya followed his escape from Nigeria in 2017, after soldiers raided his home in Abia State during an earlier phase of his trial. His subsequent extradition sparked legal and ethical debates, but the NJC insists that no recent developments involve the CJN reversing that process.
The council’s rebuttal aligns with its broader mandate to uphold judicial integrity and counter misinformation that could undermine public trust in Nigeria’s legal system. By addressing the rumor head-on, the NJC aims to refocus attention on the ongoing judicial process rather than speculative claims.
Public and Political Reactions
The false report of Kanu’s release emerged amid a politically charged atmosphere in Nigeria, particularly following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. Opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have seized on such developments to criticize the administration, amplifying public discourse around governance and justice. Kanu’s case, tied to broader issues of regional autonomy and federal authority, remains a lightning rod for these debates.
While some social media posts and fringe outlets fueled the release rumor, the NJC’s swift response has quelled speculation among mainstream observers. However, Kanu’s supporters, who have long called for his freedom, may view the clarification as a setback, even as his legal team prepares for the next court session.
What Lies Ahead
As of March 21, 2025, Kanu’s fate rests with the Federal High Court, where Justice Omotosho will oversee the continuation of his trial. The NJC’s statement reinforces that any resolution—release or otherwise—will stem from judicial proceedings, not unilateral action by the CJN. For now, the council’s intervention serves as a reminder of the need for accuracy in reporting on sensitive legal matters, particularly those with national implications.
In a country where misinformation can quickly escalate tensions, the NJC’s clarification offers a moment of clarity. Whether Kanu’s trial will yield the outcome his advocates seek remains to be seen, but the CJN, as affirmed by the NJC, is not the arbiter of that decision.
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