Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has implicated two former top Nigerian intelligence officials in Kanu’s controversial extradition. Ejimakor claims that Ahmed Rufai, the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Yusuf Bichi, the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), were responsible for the extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.
On his social media platform X, Ejimakor expressed satisfaction with the recent resignations of Rufai and Bichi, suggesting that their departure was tied to their involvement in Kanu’s rendition. He questioned who might be held accountable next, pointing to the ongoing fallout from the event.
Kanu, through Ejimakor, filed a N25 billion lawsuit against the Nigerian government in March 2022, challenging the legality of his arrest and extradition from Kenya. The suit argues that Kanu’s arrest in Kenya by Nigerian agents, without following due legal processes, was unlawful and violated his fundamental rights. It also contends that his eight-day enforced disappearance and the failure to present him before a Kenyan court for extradition proceedings were unconstitutional.
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In October 2022, the Federal High Court in Umuahia ruled in favor of Kanu, ordering the Nigerian government to pay N500 million in damages for his forced extradition. This ruling was seen as a significant victory for Kanu and his supporters, who have long alleged that his rendition was illegal.
Amid these developments, President Bola Tinubu has appointed new heads for the NIA and DSS. Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed has been named the new Director-General of the NIA, while Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi takes over as the new Director-General of the DSS, replacing Ahmed Rufai and Yusuf Bichi, respectively.
Ejimakor’s statements and the recent appointments highlight the ongoing controversy and legal battles surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s extraordinary rendition, a case that continues to draw national and international attention.
