"Enough is Enough!" Hon. Obi Aguocha Decries Tribal Bias Over Nnamdi Kanu's Case

Hon. Obi Aguocha, the federal lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Constituency, has issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s judicial system, accusing it of ethnic bias and selective enforcement. In an interview on Arise Television, Aguocha highlighted the prolonged detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a stark example of injustice targeting the Igbo people. He argued that such practices undermine national unity and called for an end to what he described as “two separate laws” – one for Igbos and another for non-Igbos.

Aguocha pointed to recent presidential pardons granted by President Bola Tinubu to individuals convicted of serious crimes like drug trafficking and murder, contrasting this leniency with Kanu’s decade-long “dehumanization and injustice” despite committing no offense. “In Nigeria’s justice system today, the Igbo man faces challenges others don’t,” he stated, emphasizing that justice must not “wear a tribal face.” He insisted that equal standards must apply to all citizens, regardless of tribe or political affiliation, to foster a truly united country.

The lawmaker, who serves as Kanu’s government negotiator, expressed strong support for the upcoming “Free Nnamdi Kanu Peaceful Protest” set for October 20 in Abuja. Confirming his participation, Aguocha described the event as a moral imperative and a peaceful stand for truth, equity, and constitutional rights. He urged Nigerians to view it not as rebellion but as an exercise in conscience, warning that silence in the face of oppression only strengthens injustice and erodes democracy.

Aguocha’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the South East, where Kanu’s detention has fueled mistrust between the region and the federal government. By advocating for dialogue and reconciliation, he positioned the protest as a call to action for all Nigerians to demand fairness, stating, “When we raise our voices in truth and peace, we strengthen our democracy.” Observers say this could intensify pressure on authorities to address perceived ethnic disparities in the justice system.