Your Excellency,
The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) write to you with a deep sense of urgency, calling on your government to do the right thing by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, either through the restoration of his unlawfully revoked bail or by granting him unconditional freedom.
Mr. President, justice is long overdue. The courts have spoken, and international human rights bodies have weighed in—yet Kanu remains in detention. This continued violation of his rights undermines Nigeria’s commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
The Federal High Court of Nigeria ruled on October 26, 2022, that Kanu’s arrest in Kenya and his subsequent detention in Nigeria were illegal and unconstitutional. The court declared that the Nigerian government had violated his fundamental rights and ordered his release.
In December 2023, the Supreme Court of Nigeria further acknowledged that Kanu did not intentionally evade trial but was forced into exile due to an illegal military invasion of his home. Despite this, his bail was revoked on false grounds, leading to his continued detention.
Additionally, the United Nations Human Rights Council, through its Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, issued a ruling in July 2022, calling for Kanu’s immediate release and compensation for his illegal rendition and incarceration.
Your Excellency, Nigeria is a sovereign nation that prides itself on its democratic values and respect for the rule of law. However, by ignoring these judicial rulings and UN directives, the government is sending a troubling message—that legal decisions can be disregarded at will.
As a responsible member of the international community, Nigeria must uphold its obligations under both national and international law. We urge you to take immediate steps to comply with these rulings.
Mr. President, this case is no longer just a legal matter—it is now a political issue that requires executive intervention. You have the power to bring this injustice to an end. Your decision on this matter will shape Nigeria’s reputation in the global arena and influence how the rule of law is perceived in our nation.
Your Excellency, the time to act is now. The world is watching, and history will remember your decision. We call on you to:
1. Restore Kanu’s bail and allow him to defend himself in court under fair and just conditions.
2. Comply with the UN directive by facilitating his immediate and unconditional release.
3. Demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to justice by upholding the rule of law and human rights.
Your Excellency, we strongly urge you to take swift and decisive action. Kanu’s continued detention is a blight on Nigeria’s legal system and international standing. Justice must prevail.
Respectfully,
American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID)
