Kanu’s Defense Team Accuses Judicial Bodies of Burying “Dead Law” Conviction
Barrister Christopher Chidera, a member of the Nnamdi Kanu Defence Consortium, has launched a blistering attack on Nigeria’s top legal institutions. In a statement released Monday, January 12, 2026, he accused the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of using “noisy propaganda” to hide what he terms the “illegalities” surrounding the recent life sentence of the IPOB leader. The lawyer expressed deep concern that these bodies are remaining silent while the constitution is allegedly being bypassed.
The core of the legal challenge rests on the claim that Kanu was convicted under a law that no longer exists. Chidera argued that the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act (TPAA) of 2013 was scrapped and replaced by the National Assembly in 2022. According to the defense, “Dead laws cannot jail people,” and using a repealed act to secure a conviction is a direct violation of Section 122 of the Evidence Act.
Chidera accused the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, of deliberately “bending the law” by refusing to transition the case to the 2022 Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA). He claimed the judge acknowledged the new law but ultimately sentenced Kanu using the “dead 2013 law” instead. The lawyer described this judicial move as “fraud in a robe,” asserting that charges, trial rules, and punishments should have strictly followed the 2022 legislation.
The defense attorney warned that this judgment sets a dangerous precedent for all Nigerians, effectively making the National Assembly “useless.” He cautioned that if a judge can “resurrect any old law” to secure a conviction, then the Constitution becomes mere “decoration.” Chidera stressed that while the case currently involves Kanu, the same legal maneuvering could be applied to any citizen in the future if left unchallenged.
Beyond the domestic legalities, the defense team continues to highlight the international dimensions of the case, including Kanu’s controversial 2021 extradition from Kenya. While the Supreme Court previously ruled that the trial could proceed despite the “extraordinary rendition,” Kanu’s lawyers maintain that the entire foundation of the current conviction is legally hollow. They are calling on the NBA and NJC to break their silence and address the specific legislative conflicts cited.
The statement also addressed the public perception of the case, suggesting that the government is trying to make the matter appear more complicated than it is. Chidera insisted that the issue is a simple one of “law versus lawlessness.” He argued that the Nigerian legal system is currently at a crossroads where the acceptance of “illegal” convictions threatens the safety and rights of every individual under the law.
Following the life sentence handed down on November 20, 2025, Kanu’s legal team has confirmed they are heading to the Court of Appeal to challenge the verdict. They are seeking to have the conviction overturned on the grounds that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to sentence a man under a repealed statute. The outcome of this appeal is expected to be a landmark moment for Nigeria’s anti-terrorism jurisprudence and the authority of the 2022 Act
