By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that the Federal Government owes its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a total of ₦9.5 billion in damages arising from court judgments it says remain unappealed and unenforced.
The group made the claim in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on behalf of the fourth administration of the IPOB Directorate of State (DOS).
IPOB said the clarification was aimed at countering what it described as misinformation against Kanu and his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, whom it credited with securing several landmark legal victories in Nigerian and international courts.
According to the group, despite the judgments being delivered in Kanu’s favour, the Federal Government has allegedly failed to comply with the court orders.
It stated that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the South-East Governors’ Forum collectively owe Kanu ₦9.5 billion in damages awarded by various courts.
IPOB cited a January 2022 judgment by the Abia State High Court, which awarded ₦1 billion in damages over the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s residence, and an October 2022 Federal High Court judgment that awarded ₦500 million after declaring his extraordinary rendition and detention unlawful.
The group also referenced an October 2023 Enugu State High Court judgment, which it said declared the proscription of IPOB unconstitutional and awarded ₦8 billion in compensation to Kanu and the organisation.
Beyond the domestic court victories, IPOB said Ejimakor also secured favourable decisions from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations Human Rights Council and other international bodies, which it claimed criticised Nigeria’s treatment of Kanu and opposed the proscription of IPOB.
The group further pointed to a June 2025 ruling by a Kenyan High Court, which reportedly declared Kanu’s abduction and rendition from Kenya to Nigeria unlawful.
IPOB maintained that no other lawyer has achieved as many legal victories on behalf of Kanu and the organisation, insisting that the judgments remain valid because the Federal Government has not appealed them.
