Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers react to call for his execution, threaten legal action + Video

The legal team representing the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has threatened legal action against News Central Television and a broadcast guest, Chigozie Nnabugwu, over a public call for the extrajudicial killing of the imprisoned leader.

During a live broadcast on News Central TV’s Breakfast Xtra programme, guest Chigozie Nnabugwu openly urged the Federal Government to execute Nnamdi Kanu to restore normalcy to the South-East region.

According to him, “If Nnamdi Kanu is dead today, if the Government of Nigeria will kill Nnamdi Kanu, trust me, normalcy will start coming, and that’s what every Igbo man prays for.”

He reportedly added that addressing the root causes of violence remained key to lasting stability in the South-East.

Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, described the broadcast remark as “reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful,” noting that it directly threatens Kanu’s life and incites public disorder.

He branded the remarks as a call for extrajudicial killing and demanded an immediate public retraction from Nnabugwu as well as an apology from the Television station.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team hereby strongly condemns the statement made by one Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu on …, in which he publicly urged the Government of Nigeria to kill our client for ‘normalcy to return to the Southeast,” the statement read.

“To be sure, this call for extrajudicial killing is reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful. And it constitutes a clear threat to life and risks inciting a breakdown of public order.”

He argued that the statement appeared to violate provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

“The call strains the boundaries set under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the knowing or intentional transmission of messages via electronic means, including those amplified on broadcast platforms and social media, that pose a threat to life or are intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.”

According to him, the offence carries “a fine of up to ₦7 million or imprisonment of up to three years or both.”

The lawyer also warned that additional criminal liabilities could arise under the Criminal Code for incitement to violence and related offences.

Ejimakor further accused the media house of providing a platform for inflammatory comments capable of threatening public peace.

“By airing and platforming this inflammatory content without due regard for its potential to incite violence or threaten public peace, …TV may face regulatory sanctions for breach of broadcast codes on incitement and public order.”

He added that broadcasters who enable hate speech or calls for unlawful killings could face regulatory sanctions and other legal consequences.

The legal team also argued that demanding Kanu’s execution while court proceedings concerning him remain pending amounted to interference with the judicial process.

“Demanding an extrajudicial execution while legal proceedings remain before the court directly subverts the judicial process and potentially constitutes actionable contempt of court,” the statement said.

Ejimakor disclosed that Kanu’s legal team was reviewing available legal options and issued what he described as a pre-action notice.

“We hereby demand that Mr. Chigozie Nnabugwu issue an immediate public retraction of his statement, and that …TV tender an unqualified televised apology for airing such dangerous content.”

He added, “This Press Release serves as a pre-action notice of all legal actions that will ensue if Mr. Nnabugwu and ….TV fail to take immediate remedial measures.”

A viral video clip of the interview was published on July 19, 2026, via the television station’s verified X account.

It has triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians rejecting the suggestion and insisting that Kanu’s fate should remain within the confines of the law.

An X user, #Isikotebuogbaya, wrote, “NOBODY can kill Nnamdi Kanu! They won’t dare! The ‘Chigozie Nnabugwu’ begging APC govt to kill Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t know what he signed up for.”

Another user, #TemitopeOl56085, questioned the comments, writing, “Gumi, Sunday Igboho are working freely today. Terrorists are getting rehabilitation and taxpayers’ money spent on them. But Nnamdi Kanu that is fighting for his people should be killed? From an Igbo man.”

The same #Isikotebuogbaya, in another post, stated, “An Igbo man wants Tinubu to kill Nnamdi Kanu… Yet an Igbo man is urging Tinubu to kill Nnamdi Kanu! I lack words to analyse this.”

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖