In a landmark ruling that reverberates across international legal and diplomatic circles, the High Court of Kenya has declared the 2021 abduction and extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as unconstitutional, illegal, and a gross violation of fundamental human rights.
Delivering judgment in Nairobi, Justice E.C. Mwita ruled that the Kenyan government violated both domestic and international law by facilitating the unlawful detention and forced transfer of Mr. Kanu to Nigeria. The court found that Mr. Kanu, a British-Nigerian citizen, had lawfully entered Kenya and was entitled to the full protection of the Kenyan Constitution.
“Mr. Kanu was abducted, held in solitary confinement, tortured, and denied access to food and medication. His subsequent removal from Kenya was carried out without due process and in violation of his rights,” Justice Mwita stated.
As part of the ruling, the court awarded 10 million Kenyan Shillings (approximately ₦120 million) in general damages against the Kenyan government for the violation of Mr. Kanu’s constitutional rights.
The decision has been hailed by IPOB and human rights advocates as a “judicial earthquake” that vindicates long-standing claims of illegal rendition and political persecution. IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful described the ruling as “a resounding victory for justice and the rule of law.”
This judgment adds significant weight to ongoing international calls for Mr. Kanu’s release and raises serious questions about the legality of his continued detention in Nigeria. Legal experts suggest the ruling could set a precedent for future cases involving cross-border abductions and extraordinary renditions.