Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has urged the Federal Government to discontinue the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, ahead of the planned October 20 nationwide protest.
Sowore, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, said the terrorism trial against Kanu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, presents the government with “an opportunity to correct a long-standing injustice.”
The activist, who has vowed to lead the protest for Kanu’s release, described the trial as a “sham built on politics, prejudice, and suppression,” recalling that it began with Kanu’s “illegal and extraordinary rendition” from Kenya.
He also called on Justice James Omotosho to “make history by standing on the side of truth, fairness, and humanity” by dismissing the case entirely.
According to him, discontinuing the trial would help restore confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system and spare the administration of President Bola Tinubu further embarrassment.
Sowore wrote:
“Very soon, the Federal High Court in Abuja will begin today’s sitting to continue the so-called terrorism trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Yet, this moment represents Nigeria’s best opportunity to end the charade once and for all.
“For years, @nnamdikanu has been subjected to a sham trial built on politics, prejudice, and suppression. This process began its second phase with his illegal and extraordinary rendition from Kenya. Every day this continues, it deepens Nigeria’s crisis of justice and erodes what remains of faith in the rule of law.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation still has a few hours today to do the right thing — to file a nolle prosequi, a formal motion discontinuing this trial, and acknowledge that this case should never have been brought in the first place.
“Such an action would not only restore some dignity to Nigeria’s justice system but also save the @officialABAT administration from further embarrassment, giving Nigeria a chance to finally move beyond a disgraceful chapter that has dragged on for far too long.”
The October 20 protest, according to Sowore, will hold across major Nigerian cities to demand Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release.