The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asserted that the Nigerian government is currently liable for N9.5 billion in damages owed to its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. This amount stems from several legal victories that the government has failed to appeal or satisfy.
Emma Powerful, the group’s spokesperson, shared this information on behalf of the IPOB Directorate of State. The statement was issued to counter what the group described as a smear campaign against Kanu and his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor. IPOB credited Ejimakor for securing significant wins in both domestic and international courts, which they claim the Nigerian authorities have consistently ignored.
According to IPOB, these unpaid damages are the result of three major judicial rulings: the 2022 Abia State High Court decision regarding the 2017 military invasion, the 2022 Federal High Court ruling on extraordinary rendition, and the 2023 Enugu State High Court decision that declared the proscription of IPOB unconstitutional. These judgments collectively account for the N9.5 billion figure.
Beyond national courts, the group highlighted Ejimakor’s work with international bodies, including the African Union and various United Nations special rapporteurs. These international interventions have consistently criticized Nigeria’s treatment of Kanu and IPOB. Furthermore, the group noted a June 2025 Kenya High Court ruling that also found Kanu’s abduction and rendition to be unlawful. IPOB maintains that these collective legal successes highlight the government’s failure to address its leader’s rights under the law.
