The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has issued a strong condemnation of the life imprisonment sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In a statement released on Friday, the group described the judgment as unjust, discriminatory, and a major setback for Nigeria’s democratic credentials, calling for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release.
FOSAD, a body comprising scholars of Igbo extraction across various fields of academia, said the ruling delivered by the Federal High Court is inconsistent with democratic principles, fundamental human rights, and the nation’s obligation to justice and equity.
“Kanu Is an Agitator, Not a Terrorist” — FOSAD
According to the Forum, Kanu’s agitation for self-determination does not equate to terrorism. Rather, the group argues, his long-standing advocacy stems from real and legitimate grievances suffered by the Igbo people, including political marginalization, poor representation at the national level, economic disadvantages, infrastructural neglect, and systemic exclusion.
In their statement, FOSAD maintained that criminalizing peaceful agitation while ignoring the core issues underlying the agitation is dangerous for the nation’s unity.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an agitator whose actions stem from the legitimate grievances of a section of the Nigerian population,” the group said. “His quest for justice and social fairness does not rise to the level of terrorism. Labeling him a terrorist while sidelining the underlying issues only deepens national disunity.”
Double Standards in Justice Administration
The statement highlighted what FOSAD describes as a troubling inconsistency in the Nigerian justice system, noting that several individuals accused of more serious offences have either been freed, pardoned, or reintegrated into society.
Nigerians recall, the Forum noted, the cases of:
-
Omoyele Sowore, who openly called for a revolution against the state.
-
Sunday Igboho, who advocated for the establishment of the Oduduwa Republic.
-
Asari Dokubo, who issued threats including the possibility of shooting down military aircraft.
-
Numerous former Boko Haram members, responsible for widespread killings and destruction, who have been granted amnesty and reabsorbed into civilian life.
FOSAD described it as a “grave contradiction” that while individuals linked to violence have been rehabilitated or released, Kanu — whose activities are largely political and expressive — faces life imprisonment.
“This double standard undermines public confidence in our justice system,” the statement added. “It raises questions about equality before the law and the politicization of justice.”
Marginalization of the Igbo Nation
FOSAD insisted that the grievances fueling agitations in the South-East are real and historically grounded. The group cited political exclusion, federal imbalance, infrastructural decay, and persistent insecurity in the region as factors that have contributed to heightened calls for self-determination.
According to the Forum, these issues require political solutions, not punitive measures.
“The marginalization of the Igbo nation is a lived reality,” FOSAD stated. “It must be addressed sincerely through political dialogue rather than through imprisonment, intimidation, or repression.”
The group warned that Kanu’s continued detention may further inflame tensions and undermine national cohesion.
Call for Political Solution and National Dialogue
FOSAD emphasized that Kanu’s case should not be treated as a mere criminal matter but as a political issue requiring negotiation, reconciliation, and constructive engagement.
“Dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusion are the tools of mature democracies,” the Forum stated. “The continued detention of a man whose followers number in millions is not only unjust but dangerous for our collective peace.”
The group noted that the right to self-determination is a globally recognized principle enshrined in international law and cannot be criminalized simply because it challenges existing political structures.
Demands by FOSAD
In the detailed statement, FOSAD made the following key demands:
-
The immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
-
A renewed national conversation on restructuring and equity, particularly in relation to the South-East.
-
A political resolution that prioritizes justice, peace, national unity, and democratic values over authoritarian responses.
The group further urged the Federal Government to adopt a more inclusive approach to governance, noting that Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads.
“Nigeria Must Choose Dialogue, Not Force”
FOSAD cautioned that the path Nigeria chooses now will determine whether the nation moves toward unity or deeper fragmentation.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads,” the statement warned. “Choosing dialogue over force will determine whether we move forward as a united nation or continue down a path of avoidable tension and mistrust.”
The academic body urged political leaders, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions to lend their voices to the call for a peaceful resolution of the matter.
Background: A Prolonged Legal and Political Battle
Nnamdi Kanu has been at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most controversial and politically sensitive legal battles for more than a decade. Arrested multiple times on charges ranging from treasonable felony to terrorism, his trial has drawn global attention and sparked protests across the South-East and among the diaspora.
His 2021 arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria — described by his lawyers as a violation of international law — remains a subject of legal dispute. Thursday’s judgment sentencing him to life imprisonment triggered immediate reactions across the South-East, with political leaders, civil society groups, and international observers calling for calm and urging the government to pursue reconciliation.
With FOSAD joining the widening chorus of voices demanding political dialogue and the release of Kanu, pressure continues to mount on the Federal Government to reconsider its approach. As Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity, ethnic tensions, and calls for restructuring, the handling of Kanu’s case is widely seen as a critical test of the nation’s commitment to justice, unity, and the rule of law.
Signed:
Dr. Stephen Nwala, President, FOSAD
Dr. Uzor Ngoladi, Secretary General, FOSAD
