The legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has threatened legal action against a television guest and News Central Television over comments it says amounted to a call for Kanu’s extrajudicial killing.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, the lawyers condemned remarks allegedly made by Chigozie Nnabugwu during a programme aired on News Central TV.
According to the legal team, Nnabugwu allegedly urged the Federal Government to kill Kanu, claiming it would restore normalcy to the South-East. The lawyers said a video of the programme was later shared on the broadcaster’s verified X account on July 19 and subsequently gained widespread attention online.
The statement described the comments as unlawful and irresponsible, arguing that they posed a threat to Kanu’s life and could encourage violence.
According to the lawyers, the remarks may constitute offences under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the intentional transmission of electronic messages that threaten life or are capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The legal team also argued that the comments could attract additional liabilities under the Criminal Code relating to alleged incitement to violence.
It further accused News Central Television of providing a platform for content capable of inciting violence, warning that the broadcaster could face regulatory consequences if found to have breached applicable broadcasting standards.
The lawyers also maintained that broadcasting remarks advocating the killing of Kanu while legal proceedings involving him remain before the courts could amount to contempt of court.
As part of their demands, Kanu’s legal representatives called on Nnabugwu to publicly withdraw the remarks and urged News Central Television to issue an unreserved televised apology for airing the comments.
They added that the statement should be regarded as a pre-action notice, warning that legal proceedings would commence if the broadcaster and its guest fail to take the requested corrective steps.
Neither News Central Television nor Chigozie Nnabugwu had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.