The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has renewed its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that his pending appeal must be listed and heard.
The position was contained in a weekly address issued on Sunday, September 27, 2026, by Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ, Head of the Fourth Administration Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB.
Nwaọgụ said the two central priorities of the Directorate remained Kanu's freedom and the restoration of Biafra, while describing other developments as secondary.
The statement also marked Kanu's 59th birthday, which was observed on Friday, September 25. According to Nwaọgụ, IPOB members and supporters in Nigeria and the diaspora celebrated the detained leader and continued to demand his freedom.
Nwaọgụ alleged that Kanu had spent eight years in detention and maintained that he had remained committed to the Biafra cause.
The IPOB official also rejected claims that Kanu was seeking a pardon from President Bola Tinubu, describing such reports as false.
He cited previous calls for dialogue, including a reported proposal in November 2021 by then-Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and an appeal for dialogue by Sunday Igboho in February 2026, arguing that Kanu had consistently maintained his position on a referendum.
Nwaọgụ further said recent comments by Kanu's lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, should be understood as part of legal efforts concerning the case and not as evidence that Kanu had abandoned his political position.
According to him, a pardon would imply guilt, while Kanu's supporters maintain that his demand for self-determination should not be treated as a criminal act.
The IPOB official also criticized remarks attributed to Vice President Kashim Shettima concerning Bianca Ojukwu, particularly the description of her as someone who was "more Igbo" than others.
Nwaọgụ argued that no government official could designate an individual as the representative of the Igbo people, adding that Bianca Ojukwu's status as the widow of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, should not be interpreted as political representation of the entire Igbo population.
He also criticized Ojukwu's appointment to the Federal Government, arguing that the move did not resolve issues surrounding insecurity, justice and Kanu's continued detention.
Nwaọgụ referenced the situation surrounding Kanu's case and alleged that government appointments and public appearances could not erase what he described as previous actions against the people of the South-East.
On the international front, Nwaọgụ claimed that Israeli Knesset member MK Afef Abed had written to the United Nations concerning Kanu's case, including issues relating to his detention, alleged rendition from Kenya, compensation and an investigation.
He described the development as evidence of continued international attention to Kanu's case.
Nwaọgụ also renewed criticism of Justice James Omotosho's handling of Kanu's trial, particularly the legal basis of the conviction.
He referred to comments allegedly made by the judge in open court on November 4, 2025, concerning the requirement for a written law before a person could be convicted, and subsequently challenged the legal basis of Kanu's conviction.
The IPOB official called on the authorities to identify the specific law, section and penalty that were in force at the time of the conviction.
"Show us the law," he said, repeating a phrase that has become central to IPOB's criticism of the legal proceedings against Kanu.
Nwaọgụ also disclosed that letters had been sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Body of Benchers concerning the status of Kanu's appeal.
He said the letters were intended to place the alleged delay in listing the appeal on the official record and questioned why the pending appeal had not been heard.
He asked why the appeal had remained outstanding, why the respondent's processes had allegedly not moved the matter forward and why an appeal involving a life sentence had remained unheard.
Nwaọgụ further announced that IPOB would provide additional details in the coming weeks concerning its proposed boycott and response to what it described as violence and insecurity in Biafraland.
However, he urged supporters to remain disciplined and warned them against allowing themselves to be provoked into violence or permitting others to hijack the struggle.
Concluding the address, Nwaọgụ thanked IPOB members and supporters who marked Kanu's birthday and continued to campaign for his release.
He reiterated the organization's demand that Kanu be released immediately and unconditionally, while insisting that his appeal should be listed and heard.
"Show us the law. List the appeal. Hear it," the statement concluded.
