UNIEC Worldwide: Justice, Due Process, and Judicial Accountability in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Case. Let Truth and the Law Prevail.

UNIEC WORLDWIDE CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL DUE PROCESS AND JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MAZI NNAMDI KANU CASE

ENUGU, NIGERIA — 15 OCTOBER 2026

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide calls for examination of the jurisdictional and procedural questions raised by Onyedikachi Ifedi, Esq., concerning Count 7 of the judgment delivered against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on 20 November 2025.

The allegations raise legal questions requiring examination of the Constitution, applicable statutes and certified court record. Whether the conviction is a nullity remains a legal conclusion for authoritative determination.

CONSTITUTIONAL DUE PROCESS

Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees fair hearing and requires an accused person to be informed of the offence charged. Section 36(12) provides that criminal responsibility must be based on a written law prescribing the offence and its penalty.

An accused person must understand the allegation and have a fair opportunity to prepare a defence. Proceedings must comply with the law, and convictions must rest on legally sustainable grounds.

Key questions include whether Count 7 was sufficiently clear, whether its statutory description was correctable or fundamental, whether amendment and plea procedures were followed, and whether the conviction was sustainable under legislation then in force or preserved by savings provisions. The complete record must be examined.

THE REPEAL QUESTION

The Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 repealed the Customs and Excise Management Act and contains savings provisions. Section 6 of the Interpretation Act may also preserve certain rights, liabilities and proceedings arising under repealed legislation.

Repeal before judgment does not automatically invalidate every prosecution or liability under the former statute. Relevant questions include when the alleged offence occurred, whether proceedings were preserved, and whether the charge and conviction comply with the savings provisions.

The consequences of a defective charge depend on its wording, applicable procedure, the record and binding appellate decisions.

THE WISDOM OF OUR ELDERS

An Igbo proverb says: “Eziokwu bụ ndụ”—truth is life.

Our elders remind us that wisdom requires listening before reaching judgment. Where the law is disputed, answers must come from evidence, sound legal reasoning and competent courts.

Judicial accountability requires full examination of the record; respect for judicial authority must not suppress genuine questions about jurisdiction, statutory interpretation or fair hearing.

The rule of law requires judicial independence and the correction of established legal errors through lawful procedures.

OUR INSTITUTIONAL POSITION

UNIEC calls for:

1. Examination of the certified charge, relevant proceedings and judgment concerning Count 7. 2. Objective analysis of the Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and applicable repeal and savings provisions. 3. Protection of the accused’s fair-hearing rights and every party’s right to lawful judicial determination. 4. Correction of established legal errors through judicial processes. 5. Responsible public commentary distinguishing documented facts, legal arguments and conclusions not yet judicially determined.

An accused person's constitutional rights must be protected regardless of identity or political opinion. Legal conclusions must be supported by the record and law.

CONCLUSION

UNIEC Worldwide maintains that no conviction should rest on an offence or penalty that the law does not validly support, and no person should be denied constitutional protections.

Count 7 requires legal scrutiny, not ethnic sentiment, political pressure or premature declarations.

We urge all parties to uphold constitutionalism, due process, peaceful engagement and respect for judicial processes.

Let the facts be established, the law correctly applied, and justice done without fear or favour.

ONE PEOPLE • ONE HERITAGE • MANY VOICES • ONE COLLECTIVE DESTINY.

Non-Partisan • Non-Sectarian • Constitutionally Guided • Peace-Oriented • Elder-Statesmanship Driven.

Signed:

His Lordship, Justice Alpha Ikpeama Director-General (D-G) United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide

Published by: NDIGBO WORLDWIDE MEDIA.COM Informing Today, Documenting History, Inspiring Tomorrow.