Vincent Egechukwu Obetta, a former legal counsel to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to intervene in the long-standing legal case and direct the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to consider entering a nolle prosequi, effectively ending the federal prosecution.
In the seven-page letter dated November 17, 2025, Obetta accused successive administrations of repeatedly ignoring court orders, beginning with Kanu’s bail granted by the Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, under Suit No. ABJ/CMC/CR/21/2015. According to the lawyer, the Department of State Services (DSS) blatantly disregarded the court’s directives, keeping Kanu in detention despite judicial rulings.
Obetta cited a 2015 Federal High Court ruling by Justice A.F.A. Ademola, which dismissed the government’s attempt to extend Kanu’s detention and ordered his unconditional release. He argued that the continued prosecution violates Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution and undermines the rule of law.
The lawyer also referenced Kanu’s controversial June 2021 arrest in Kenya, describing it as a “state-engineered abduction” that violated both Nigerian law and international agreements. The High Court of Kenya had ruled the arrest illegal and awarded Kanu 10 million Kenyan shillings in damages.
Obetta highlighted inconsistencies between Nigerian appellate courts, noting that the Court of Appeal had quashed the charges and affirmed that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction, while the Supreme Court in December 2023 restored terrorism charges despite recognizing the irregularities in Kanu’s rendition.
The lawyer warned that prolonged detention has heightened tensions in the South-East and damaged Nigeria’s international reputation. He urged President Tinubu to take urgent steps: ensure compliance with all court orders, order Kanu’s immediate release, direct the AGF to consider filing a nolle prosequi, and pursue a peaceful reconciliatory approach to restore national unity.
Obetta concluded that decisive action by the President would reinforce the rule of law, ease regional tensions, and strengthen Nigeria’s credibility both at home and abroad, signing off as “A Patriotic Nigerian.”
