Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has offered a reward of one million naira to any Nigerian law student who can find a legal precedent where a judge granted a stay of execution for a person acquitted by the court.

Kanu’s legal team, led by prominent lawyers Aloy Ejimakor, Jude Ugwuanyi, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, and Mandela Umegborogu, made the announcement in Abuja on Tuesday. Speaking on behalf of the team, Ejiofor stated, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu pledges to give one million naira to any law student in any Nigerian university who can present a precedent where a judge granted a stay of execution in criminal proceedings, preventing an acquitted person from enjoying their freedom.”

Kanu described such an action as an “illegality” that would continue to harm Nigeria, claiming that his prolonged detention was an example of injustice targeted at him due to his Igbo heritage. “It is an illegality that would hunt Nigeria for as long as life endures. But then, it was granted because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of Igbo descent and must suffer, regardless of what the law says,” he added.

Kanu’s legal team also reiterated that his detention at the Department of State Security (DSS) was illegal and had no court backing. They pointed to the Court of Appeal’s decision, which quashed all charges against Kanu for lack of jurisdiction and violations of the Extradition Acts of Kenya and Nigeria.

Ejiofor noted that an “unlawful” order was granted by Justice Tsamani of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which stayed Kanu’s release despite his acquittal. He emphasized that in the history of legal systems worldwide, it was unprecedented for an acquitted individual to be denied release through a stay of execution.

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