Damilola Timilehin, Ibadan
Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, Jarvis Johnson, has voiced his support for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), urging the Nigerian Supreme Court to uphold the decisions of lower courts that have called for Kanu’s unconditional release.
The statement, issued ahead of Kanu’s December 15, 2023 case with the apex court in Abuja, emphasized the violations of national and international laws in Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria.
Jarvis Johnson, representing the 139th District, echoed the sentiments of IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Bruce Fein, who have previously advocated for Kanu’s freedom as a proponent of self-determination.
Johnson argued that the classification of IPOB as a terrorist group, a stance by the Government of Nigeria (GON) and the Southeast Governor’s Forum, was deemed unconstitutional by the High Court of Enugu State on October 30, 2023, adding that this rendered any treatment of IPOB and its leadership as illegal and discriminatory.
The US lawmaker highlighted the consensus among various legal jurisdictions, both within and outside Nigeria, calling for Kanu’s release.
He emphasized that there were no pending legal matters against Kanu, citing previous judgments from Nigerian courts, including the High Court in Umuhia, Abia State, and the Court of Appeals in Abuja.
Johnson also referenced a United Nations Human Rights Council opinion from July 20, 2022, which found Kanu’s solitary confinement to be in violation of international human rights conventions, urging his immediate and unconditional release.
Asserting that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition was illegal under Nigerian and international law, Johnson urged the Nigerian Supreme Court to uphold the judgments of subordinate courts and international tribunals.
He expressed hope that such a ruling would contribute to restoring confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary, with the Supreme Court as its apex institution.
