Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has announced a reward of N1 million for Nigerian law students. The money will be awarded to any student who can provide a legal precedent where a court granted a stay of release for someone already acquitted of charges.

This challenge was disclosed by Kanu’s legal team during a press briefing in Abuja. The team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, Jude Ugwuanyi, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, and Mandela Umegborogu, criticized Kanu’s continued detention, calling it illegal and unjust.

Speaking on Kanu’s behalf, Ejimakor said:

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is offering N1 million to any Nigerian law student who can find an example of a stay of execution in criminal proceedings where an acquitted person was still denied freedom. This action is illegal and driven by prejudice against him as an Igbo man.”

Kanu remains in detention at the Department of State Security (DSS) despite being acquitted by the Court of Appeal. His legal team pointed out that the charges against him were dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction and violations of extradition laws by both Kenya and Nigeria.

However, Justice Tsamani of the Court of Appeal issued an order staying Kanu’s release, an action Kanu’s lawyers argue is unheard of in legal history.

“This decision has no legal foundation. In no country’s history has an acquitted person been denied freedom through a stay of execution,” Ejimakor said.

Kanu’s legal team believes this challenge will shed light on what they describe as a violation of justice and human rights.