Nnamdi Kanu’s RELEASE: U. S Soldier Sends Unexpected Message To Tinubu, Demands Nnamdi Kanu’s Immediate Release
The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has once again urged the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in detention under the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, AVID emphasised that Kanu’ s case has moved beyond judicial considerations and now falls within the political discretion of the executive. The letter, dated 26th February 2025 and titled ” Open Letter to the President and Government of Nigeria” , was signed by AVID’ s President, Chief Dr Sylvester Onyia, and Secretary, Dr Godson Obiagwu.
The letter referenced a ruling by the Federal High Court on 26th October 2022, which condemned the Nigerian government’ s treatment of Kanu. The court ruled that Kanu’ s arrest and detention in Kenya, his continued incarceration in Abuja, and the alleged physical and psychological trauma he suffered constituted a violation of his fundamental human rights under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
AVID argued that, based on this ruling, Kanu’ s continued detention is unlawful, citing Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which mandates that decisions of the Federal High Court must be enforced by all authorities within the country.
The military veterans also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from December 2023, which criticised the Nigerian government’ s actions against Kanu. According to AVID, the Supreme Court acknowledged that Kanu was on bail when his residence was raided by heavily armed military officers, forcing him to flee for his safety. The court stated that Kanu’ s flight was a natural response to a life- threatening situation and rejected claims that he had deliberately jumped bail.
The Supreme Court further observed that despite being responsible for Kanu’ s absence from court, the government sought and obtained a warrant for his arrest, misleading the trial court into revoking his bail and issuing further punitive measures against him.
AVID also cited a judgment by the High Court of Abia on 19th January 2022, which ruled in Kanu’ s favour. The court condemned the Nigerian government’ s military invasion of Kanu’ s residence in 2017 and acknowledged that his fundamental rights had been violated. The court further urged the government to pursue a peaceful resolution to the matter.
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AVID stressed that the Nigerian government no longer needs further legal proceedings to implement Kanu’ s release. The group urged President Tinubu to take immediate executive action by either reinstating Kanu’ s revoked bail or formally discontinuing his prosecution.
The letter concluded with a strong appeal to Tinubu, stating: ” It is evident that this matter has shifted from a judicial issue to a political one, which falls under the executive powers of the President. As the saying goes, the buck stops at the President’ s table. We strongly urge His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to act without delay and order the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. “
