Popular social media commentator, Vincent Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has claimed that the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, may not regain his freedom anytime soon, alleging that the Nigerian government intends to keep him in custody until he grows old and weak.
In a video shared across his social media platforms, VDM asserted that with the manner in which Kanu’s legal proceedings have been unfolding, the separatist leader could spend as much as 20 more years in detention before being released.
According to him, Kanu’s continued detention since his re-arrest in 2021 is not solely due to the federal government’s stance but also because of the alleged involvement of influential politicians and leaders from the South-East region.
“Nnamdi Kanu will never be released until he is old and weak and can no longer cause problems. That is the government’s plan. All these court appearances are just for public sake. Many South-East leaders are behind his arrest,” VDM stated.
The activist further claimed that the judiciary is deliberately prolonging the legal process through repeated adjournments, allegedly due to fears that Kanu’s release could reignite unrest in the South-East.
“The court will keep adjourning his case. The South-East governors and elites have held meetings with the Presidency not to release him because they believe his release would threaten the peace and stability of the region,” he said.
VDM also alleged that some business magnates from the South-Easthave beenfinancially supporting efforts to ensure Kanu remains detained, fearing that his freedom could disrupt the relative calm in the region and affect their commercial interests.
“Big businessmen from the East pay heavily so that he doesn’t see the dawn of day. He will not be released unless a miracle happens,” he added.
Nnamdi Kanu, the self-styled leader of IPOB, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in June 2021. He faces charges bordering on treasonable felony, terrorism, and incitementbefore theFederal High Court in Abuja.
Despite multiple court orders granting him bail and appeals for his release by human rights groups, the government has maintained that his detention is a matter of national security.
Kanu’s prolonged detention remains one of the most divisive political and human rights issues in Nigeria, sparking recurring debates over justice, regional politics, and civil liberties.
