A Kenyan High Court sitting in Nairobi has declared the abduction and repatriation of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 unlawful and illegal, adding another layer of complexity to the Nnamdi Kanu trial.
The court further awarded compensatory damages of 10 million Kenyan shillings against the Kenyan Government for gross violations of Mazi Kanu’s fundamental human rights.
Court Details
The presiding judge, Justice E.C. Mwita, in his judgement, faulted both the Nigerian and Kenyan governments for their treatment of Nnamdi Kanu in gross violations of his rights as guaranteed by the constitutions.
“Having considered the pleadings and arguments by parties, the decisions relied on, the Constitution and the law, I come to the following conclusions;
“First, the government of Kenya violated the Constitution and Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s rights and fundamental freedoms. Having entered Kenya lawfully he was subject to the protection offered by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the government of Kenya had an obligation to uphold and protect his rights and fundamental freedoms.
“Mr. Nnamdi was however abducted, kept in solitude confinement, tortured and denied food and medication, a breach of basic rights.
“He was chained, humiliated, ridiculed and held in contempt and later forcibly removed from Kenya without following the law in violation of his rights and fundamental freedoms for which the government of Kenya is liable.
Ruling
Continuing, the trial judge said “Based on the above conclusions, the court makes the following declarations and orders it considers appropriate;
“A declaration is hereby issued that the abduction of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdı Kenny Okwu Kanu; holding him in incommunicado confinement, torturing him and denying him food, water, medication and other basic necessities was a violation of his rights and fundamental freedoms.
“A declaration is hereby issued that the abduction and subsequent forcible removal of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria was in violation of the laws of Kenya; his rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of movement and security of the person guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and, therefore, unconstitutional and illegal.
“An order for compensation is hereby issued awarding Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu general damages of Kshs 10,000,000 against the Attorney General of Kenya on behalf of the government of Kenya for the violation of Mr. Nwannekaenvi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu’s constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms” The Judge declared.
IPOB Response
The Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) described the judgement as a landmark victory that have vindicated the position of the group since the commencement of the trial of their leader in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful read “ The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wishes to formally announce a resounding judicial earthquake that has shaken the legal foundations of the fraudulent rendition of our leader, ONYENDU Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a historic, courageous, and landmark judgement delivered on June 24, 2025, the High Court of Kenya, sitting in Nairobi, found that the abduction, incommunicado detention, torture, and illegal transfer of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under Kenyan and international law.
“This judgement vindicates our consistent position that what transpired in Nairobi in June 2021 was not extradition but extraordinary rendition — a criminal act of state-sponsored international terrorism involving the highest authorities of the Nigerian and Kenyan governments.
“We are grateful beyond measure to the brilliant legal leadership of Professor PLO Lumumba, lead counsel in the Kenyan litigation, whose courage, clarity, and tenacity led to this monumental legal victory. IPOB also extends heartfelt appreciation to the Kenyan judiciary, especially Hon. Justice E.C. Mwita, who stood tall against ferocious political interference and international diplomatic pressure to deliver a fearless judgement grounded in law, morality, and constitutional justice.
“To Justice E.C. Mwita, we say thank you for your judicial bravery. To Professor PLO Lumumba and his team, we salute your exceptional advocacy. To the oppressed peoples of the world, this is your victory, a warning to tyrants that international borders will no longer shield criminal regimes from justice”. The statement read in part.
