A senior correctional officer, who requested anonymity, described the atmosphere around Kanu as extraordinary. “He has practically turned his block into a kind of mini Radio Biafra. Even inmates who previously opposed him now sit quietly to hear him speak. No one compels them; his words simply draw them.”
The judge held that the prosecution presented credible evidence showing that Kanu belonged to IPOB, which has been proscribed, as well as its affiliate security outfit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
If the court permits these witnesses to testify, the proceedings could expose uncomfortable truths about governance, law enforcement, and political accountability—while also putting pressure on the Tinubu administration amid renewed calls from the Southeast for Kanu’s release.
“Kanu’s detention isn’t just personal injustice; it’s a tinderbox. Southeast insecurity as observed in attacks on police, and the “sit-at-home” paralysis worsened post-rendition, costing billions and lives. Releasing him de-escalates, fostering dialogue as urged by RULAAC’s 2025 Enugu Summit. Politically, it’s pragmatic: Figures like Peter Obi and Kenneth Okonkwo cite ethnic bias and ask “why rehabilitate bandits but jail agitators?”
