On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Barrister Christopher Chidera, a prominent human rights lawyer, addressed journalists in Abuja, asserting that the prolonged detention of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), lacks legal justification and is instead a punishment for his outspoken criticism of the Nigerian government. Chidera argued that Kanu’s incarceration is an attempt to suppress his influence among the Igbo people, emphasizing that no substantial charges have been brought against him for controversial claims, such as alleging the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which Chidera noted was widely dismissed as propaganda. He questioned why Kanu has not been charged with misinformation if his statements were false, suggesting the detention is politically motivated to silence a vocal critic.
Chidera further condemned a recent article by a leading online platform, titled “How Nnamdi Kanu Sought to Please South-Easterners with Hilarious Propaganda,” labeling it a malicious attempt to discredit Kanu and divide his supporters. He praised Kanu’s consistency and suffering in pursuit of freedom, arguing that his loyalty among the Igbo stems from truth, not propaganda. Beyond Kanu’s case, Chidera called for Africans to embrace unity and critical thinking, attributing the continent’s challenges to mental complacency rather than colonialism. He urged the public and media to reject narratives undermining dissent and to defend fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression, as essential for progress.
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