Aloy Ejimakor, legal counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has welcomed the recent ruling by a Kenyan court declaring Kanu’s 2021 abduction and rendition to Nigeria unlawful.
Ejimakor responded to the verdict in a statement posted Friday on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, praising the legal team and the court for what he described as a courageous judgment.
The ruling, delivered by Justice E.C. Mwita of the High Court in Nairobi, found that the Kenyan and Nigerian governments violated Kanu’s fundamental human rights during his arrest and transfer.
The 13-page judgment concluded that Kanu was subjected to extraordinary rendition, and the court awarded him 10 million Kenyan shillings (approximately ₦119.6 million) in compensatory damages, to be paid by the Kenyan government.
Ejimakor commended the lead Kenyan counsel, Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, for his role in securing the favorable judgment. He also acknowledged the efforts of Kanu’s supporters, Kanunta and Prince Emmanuel, for their persistence.
“As the Kenyan High Court rules AGAINST the #ExtraordinaryRendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I make bold to commend Prof. Lumumba (our Kenyan lead counsel who worked closely with me), Kanunta & Prince Emmanuel (for their tenacity & fraternity), & Justice Mwita for the judicial courage,” Ejimakor wrote.
The court’s decision adds a new dimension to Kanu’s ongoing legal and political battles, as he remains in detention in Nigeria facing charges related to treason and terrorism.
The Nigerian government has not officially responded to the Kenyan court’s ruling at the time of this report.