The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court of being influenced by bribery and a promised elevation to the Court of Appeal in delivering the life sentence imposed on its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement released by IPOB spokesperson Comrade Emma Powerful, the group claimed it received “credible information” from an unnamed insider alleging that Justice Omotosho was “swayed by monetary gain and elevation to become a Court of Appeal Judge to issue an unjust life sentence ruling against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

IPOB Accuses Judge, SAN of Acting as Prosecutors

IPOB argued that the allegations were consistent with what it described as the judge’s behaviour throughout the trial. According to the group, Justice Omotosho “assumed the role of a prosecuting judge” and displayed “bias and a personal vendetta” against Kanu.

The group further accused Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegboyega Awomolo of taking on a similar posture during proceedings.

“Justice James Omotosho and Barrister Awomolo both assumed the role of prosecuting counsels and approached the case personally,” IPOB alleged, insisting the pair acted under “pressure from those in authority to silence MNK.”

Claims of Unwritten, Nullified Laws

IPOB reiterated its longstanding position that Kanu repeatedly demanded that the court and prosecution cite the specific written law under which he was being tried — a request the group says was ignored.

“The corrupt judge and lawyer never read the written law to the court’s hearing or to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said, insisting that the sentencing was “grounded in a nullified law that is foreign to the Nigerian constitution.”

The group maintained that neither Kanu nor IPOB violated any Nigerian or international statutes and alleged widespread judicial corruption within the system.

IPOB Cites Pattern of Judicial Promotions

IPOB referenced previous judicial promotions it claims were used as rewards for rulings unfavorable to Kanu — pointing to the elevation of judges who overturned the 2022 Court of Appeal decision that discharged and acquitted him.

“It is regrettable that the Nigerian judiciary has become so corrupt that abolished and unwritten laws can be applied against a defendant if the judge has received a bribe or a tempting promotion offer,” the statement said.

Warning of Dangerous Precedent

The group warned that the ruling could set a deeply troubling precedent, effectively legitimising:

• extraordinary rendition,
• unlawful abductions, and
• the use of “unwritten or abolished laws” against defendants.

“If this unlawful ruling against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is permitted to remain, the Nigerian government will have granted itself the authority to abduct any suspect without adhering to international extradition treaties,” IPOB stated.

Calls for International Investigation

IPOB urged the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC), foreign judicial bodies, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Justice Omotosho’s conduct — including his alleged refusal to provide the written law cited in his judgment.

The group claimed it is prepared to provide evidence of what it called the judge’s “bias.”

“Injustice, exemplified by James Omotosho in the judiciary, is why President Trump labeled Nigeria as a Disgraced Country,” the statement concluded.