Dr Maxwell Opara Esq. Takes MNK campaign to Europe.
“Having concluded our first mission of awareness, advocacy and sensitization on the need for all Nigerian Lawyers to join and raise their voices on the need for the Federal Government to unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the Ongoing 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Enugu State.
I have just arrived Paris France from Nigeria this morning alongside other dogged socio-legal Comrades from other Clan who are committed to launching crusade in the 5 selected countries of Europe which includes France, Spain, Garmany, Austra and Belgium.
This conscious movement seeks to inform the world of the injustice against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu perpetrated by the Nigerian Government and the need for the entire world to lend their voices for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and as well place sanctions on every person involved in his illegal abduction from Kenya to Nigeria and the torture he was subjected to. We will takeoff from Paris France before moving to Malaga Spain and others. “
Dr Maxwell Opara Esq.
A Global Call for Justice: The Urgent Need to Free Nnamdi Kanu
In a bold escalation of advocacy, Dr. Maxwell Opara, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and defender in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has embarked on an international crusade across Europe to spotlight what many see as a glaring injustice perpetrated by the Nigerian government. Fresh from the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu, where calls for Kanu's release echoed through the halls, Opara and his team of socio-legal activists have landed in Paris, France, to kick off a tour spanning five countries: France, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Belgium. Their mission is clear—to rally global voices against Kanu's prolonged detention, demand his unconditional release, and push for sanctions on those responsible for his abduction from Kenya and subsequent alleged torture.
This movement arrives at a pivotal moment. The NBA conference, themed "Stand Out, Stand Tall," served as a platform for introspection on Nigeria's legal and human rights landscape. Kanu himself petitioned the NBA to include his case in the agenda, highlighting alleged rights violations and judicial misconduct. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, speaking at the event, renewed his plea for Kanu's freedom, stating that releasing him is "the right thing to do" and could foster peace in the Southeast region. Mbah's comments build on his earlier efforts, including discussions with President Bola Tinubu, underscoring how Kanu's detention continues to fuel unrest, such as the Monday sit-at-home protests in Enugu.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra , was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya in June 2021 and flown to Nigeria, where he faces trumped up terrorism-related charges he vehemently denies. Critics argue this "extraordinary rendition" violated international law, including extradition treaties and human rights protocols. Since then, Kanu's trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja has been marred by delays, changes in judges, and accusations of government interference. In July 2025, Kanu appeared in court amid ongoing proceedings, with his legal team filing a no-case submission still pending. IPOB, which Kanu leads, maintains its non-violent stance, advocating for self-determination for the people of Biafra—a right enshrined in international instruments like the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
Dr. Opara's European initiative is not mere rhetoric; it's a strategic push to internationalize the issue. By engaging audiences in these nations, the campaign aims to expose Nigeria's handling of Kanu's case as a breach of due process and human dignity. Calls for sanctions target officials involved in the abduction and alleged mistreatment, echoing global precedents where such measures have pressured governments to rectify injustices. This aligns with broader criticisms, including from Kanu's family, who have decried the UK's "deceitful" silence given Kanu's British citizenship. Moreover, IPOB has urged Southeast leaders to stop "begging" Tinubu for Kanu's release, insisting instead on adherence to court orders, such as the 2022 Appeal Court ruling that acquitted him before it was stayed.
The substantive case for Kanu's release is compelling. Legally, his detention raises questions about fair trial rights under “Nigeria's constitution” and international law. Politically, it exacerbates tensions in the Southeast, where insecurity persists despite government claims. Governor Mbah's assertion that freeing Kanu could end residual unrest is echoed by figures like Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and actor Bishop Umoh, who have publicly urged Tinubu to act, even if "without legal justification," for the sake of regional stability. Economically, prolonged detention hinders reconciliation and development in a region rich in potential but plagued by marginalization.
The facts speak to a deeper malaise in Nigeria's justice system—one where political detainees like Kanu are caught in a web of executive overreach. Opara's efforts, including recent lawsuits against police officials for defaming IPOB, demonstrate a commitment to accountability. The international community, particularly Europe with its strong human rights frameworks, should heed this call. Sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and support for independent inquiries could tip the scales toward justice.
Ultimately, releasing Nnamdi Kanu isn't just about one man; it's about upholding the rule of law, healing regional divides, and preventing further erosion of already depleted regional security. As Opara's team moves from Paris to Malaga and beyond, the world must listen. Freedom delayed is freedom denied—it's time for Nigeria to do the right thing.