A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Joe Igbokwe, has criticised the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, following his angry outburst in court on Friday during his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a video that went viral on social media, Nnamdi Kanu was seen furiously confronting the presiding judge and accusing the court of ignoring the Nigerian constitution and previous rulings by the Supreme Court. His reaction, which was captured on camera, has sparked widespread discussion online and renewed debate about his trial and mental state.
During the court session, Kanu could be heard shouting, “You have no idea what justice means. You don’t know what justice means!” He also questioned the judge’s competence, alleging that the court was acting contrary to the principles of justice.
Kanu’s visible anger came amid frustration over what his supporters describe as a prolonged and unfair trial process. He has been in detention since June 2021, when he was re-arrested and brought back to Nigeria after fleeing the country in 2017.
Reacting to the video, APC stalwart Joe Igbokwe took to his Facebook page to describe Kanu’s behaviour as a sign of instability, claiming that the IPOB leader is “overrated” and “no longer sounding like a normal person.”
“This small boy’s behaviour in the court today tells me that the centre can no longer hold. The actor is overrated. Everything about him is overrated. He is no longer sounding like a normal person. The blood of thousands of people he killed are speaking.”
Igbokwe, a native of Nnewi in Anambra State and a strong critic of the IPOB movement, has long opposed Kanu’s campaign for an independent Biafra. He has repeatedly accused the separatist leader of promoting violence and division in the South-East.
His latest comments have attracted mixed reactions online, with some users agreeing that Kanu’s courtroom behaviour was disrespectful and others insisting that his anger was justified by what they call the government’s failure to obey previous court orders granting him bail.
Nnamdi Kanu, 56, is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group that has long called for the independence of the South-East region from Nigeria. IPOB was founded in 2012 and gained widespread attention after Kanu launched Radio Biafra, a station used to broadcast pro-Biafra messages and criticisms of the Nigerian government.
In 2015, Kanu was arrested and charged with treasonable felony, terrorism, and other offences. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled Nigeria after security forces invaded his home in Abia State. He was later re-arrested in 2021 in a foreign country, under circumstances that remain disputed, and has since been held by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Since his return to Nigeria, Kanu’s trial has faced several delays and controversies. His lawyers and supporters have accused the government of disobeying court orders and violating his human rights, while authorities insist that he must face justice for his alleged role in inciting violence and unrest in the South-East.
Friday’s court session was expected to address some of the procedural issues surrounding Kanu’s continued detention, but tensions rose when the IPOB leader interrupted proceedings and lashed out at the judge.
His legal team reportedly tried to calm him down, but Kanu continued to voice his frustration over what he described as a miscarriage of justice. Supporters of the IPOB leader later claimed that his outburst reflected years of frustration and psychological pressure resulting from prolonged detention and lack of access to proper medical care.
However, critics like Joe Igbokwe argue that Kanu’s recent behaviour proves that he is not fit to lead any political or social movement. “He has caused so much pain in Igboland,” Igbokwe wrote in another post, alleging that IPOB’s activities under Kanu have contributed to the insecurity and economic hardship in the South-East.
The incident has once again exposed deep divisions among Nigerians over the handling of Kanu’s case. While his supporters see him as a freedom fighter being persecuted for demanding self-determination, opponents describe him as a lawbreaker who must face the consequences of his actions.
As of Friday evening, the Federal High Court had not issued a formal statement about Kanu’s outburst. His legal team is expected to file a new motion seeking his release, citing past rulings in his favour by appellate courts.
