08/06/2026
A-Z Cause FG Demanded Kanu's Ex*****on In Its Cross-Appeal-- Report
By Ifeanyi Chijioke
The negotiation for Nnamdi Kanu’s release began during his trial, but it wasn't forthcoming because he wanted a public cover. A situation where any agreement will remain exclusive with the federal government. An exclusive report says. The investigation carried out by me took more than two years with third-party sources.
The messaging differs and varies at the same time. The political echelon wanted a political solution, while the security echelon wanted consequences.
My security sources said Kanu would be held accountable irrespective of mediation, while my political sources said there was hope if he agreed to all demands. Kanu wanted the framework to be exactly like that of his first bail, with a promise to respect everything this time, but trust impeded the deal.
During the negotiation, Simon Ekpa was waxing stronger and causing significant problems. For the FG, sentencing Nnamdi Kanu while Simon Ekpa was still posing a threat will technically embolden Ekpa and ensure direct and immediate replacement of Nnamdi Kanu. Nnamdi Kanu’s detention was rendered meaningless by Ekpa’s growing dominance, so the mission shifted to first take out Simon Ekpa.
DSS then initiated a surgical operation to neutralize Simon Ekpa. The operation was necessary to ensure whatever action is taken against Nnamdi Kanu doesn't shift sympathy or financially stable Kanu’s violent support base to Ekpa.
DSS had already infiltrated Ekpa’s camp. The infiltration was easy because Simon Ekpa needed funds to implement his plans. Nnamdi Kanu was pressured to discredit Ekpa, but he chose to be diplomatic, which angered the federal government.
To Nnamdi Kanu, Ekpa causes a headache for the federal government, and he wanted to use Ekpa as a bargaining chip. Realizing that Nnamdi Kanu wants to use Ekpa as a lifeline, the FG dramatically doubled the efforts to pin down Ekpa.
Nnamdi Kanu was urged to give up Ekpa and promised that if Ekpa was taken care of, the government would spare him through the court process. Without waiting for Nnamdi Kanu’s directive, his wards quickly embraced the offer and provided every detail needed to apprehend and silence Ekpa.
Kanu was skeptical of the federal government and didn't want to put his trust in them. Instead of directly condemning Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu insisted he should be released so he could rein in Ekpa. Seizing the initiative, the federal government wasn't happy, and behind Nnamdi Kanu, they pursued Ekpa and got him with the help of Nnamdi Kanu’s men.
To Nnamdi Kanu’s DOS, they were protecting the organization from Ekpa. For the federal government, Ekpa needed to be neutralized to leave Nnamdi Kanu without any bargaining chip.
Immediately after the federal government succeeded with neutralizing Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu became the only threat left to close the chapter on the threat posed by Biafra agitation, and because of IPOB leadership's ability to continue in the absence of Nnamdi Kanu, the federal government concluded Kanu must disband his group.
The next phase of the diplomatic game of chess began. Nnamdi Kanu had not been sentenced, and Kanu’s legal team's strategy was delay tactics. The delay tactics were beginning to frustrate the government and left Nnamdi Kanu’s matter open to political solutions.
But then, the federal government played their last card; they promised Nnamdi Kanu that he would be released through the court process. They also promised him the court would free him on the condition that he continue his agitation peacefully and within the confines of the law of the land. Nnamdi Kanu fell for the bait and urged his lawyers to change tactics and allow the court to adjudicate.
All Kanu wanted from the beginning was given to him—freedom to continue his agitation within the confines of the law, to peacefully go on with his IPOB, and to manage Biafra agitation in a way that it doesn't pose any threat to the state, as outrightly stopping the agitation was not in the cards.
His lawyers agreed to stop incessant applications, and the matter was plainly brought forward. As the court was hearing the matter, Nnamdi Kanu noticed he had been played by the federal government. His lawyers also noticed they were lied to and Nnamdi Kanu was going to be jailed. By then, it was impossible to leave the web of the court process.
Left with no option, Nnamdi Kanu employed last-minute desperate tactics. He had allowed the defense to present their case and tendered evidence, and the law demanded that he enter his defense, so he sacked all his lawyers and insisted he would defend himself.
The reason for sacking his lawyers and defending himself was to go back to delay tactics and frustrate the federal government, but for the fact he had allowed the prosecution to open and close their case, going back to the status quo was impossible.
The judge was reportedly given a marching order to conclude the case at all costs, and the prosecution and FG agreed there was a legal backing to foreclose Kanu’s defense if he refused to open it.
Consultations were made to ascertain if there was legal leverage for the FG, as they were more concerned to get the slimmest locus standi for action. It was after consultation that they agreed foreclosure could be defended or justified.
Filled with disbelief and disappointment, Nnamdi Kanu tried all he could to stop the judge, but he was forced out of the court. To the FG, they hit the jackpot and got their prey where they wanted it. Kanu’s undoing was ever agreeing to the bait that they wanted to release him via the court.
Nnamdi Kanu spoke with his lawyers after his sentence and explored the possibility of an appeal court striking out the judgment on procedural error. He emphasized that he was not given a fair hearing and, above all, not given time to defend himself.
His defense team reportedly praised him for sacking them with the aim of stalling adjudication. The hope of the defense team is to get a favorable judgment founded on procedural error.
Having sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment, the FG was still open to negotiation, but now on their own terms. Nnamdi Kanu accepted to negotiate despite having trust issues with the FG.
FG demanded the dismantling of IPOB through mediators as the first condition to listen to his plea, but Kanu demanded time, and after a while, he opted to technically dismantle IPOB.
Afraid he might be entering another trap, Kanu decided to appoint a group outside IPOB that would lead the negotiation. But upon announcing the 100-man committee, IPOB leadership struck and made matters for Nnamdi Kanu.
Lack of communication was the reason IPOB fell apart. A 100-man committee would have given Nnamdi Kanu a reserve card. The plan was, if the 100-man committee succeeded, Kanu would now communicate with IPOB leadership on the need to change approach, but if the negotiation failed, he would hold onto IPOB leadership as his last line of defense.
Nnamdi Kanu was reportedly extremely angry with IPOB leadership for not aligning with him. He accused them of being power-hungry. He also reportedly said he didn't intend to sack them, but because they opposed his directive, he decided to sack them.
The FG didn't want Nnamdi Kanu to appeal his conviction; they only demanded he dismantle IPOB. Mediators approached FG but got a simple order: before they listen to Nnamdi Kanu’s plea, he should distance himself from IPOB, dismantle IPOB, and renounce his agitation.
Kanu, on the other hand, wants the renunciation to be private and between him and the FG. Mediators noted that Kanu’s first bail played against him and made their job harder. Agreements were made between Kanu and the FG, but as soon as Kanu came out, he abandoned everything and continued to appease his IPOB group.
After Kanu completed filing for his appeal without meeting the set demands, the FG interpreted it as being stubborn and decided to ask for ex*****on.
There is still a window for Kanu to renounce his agitation and seek forgiveness, but nothing is guaranteed anymore from the FG, the report says. Another source reports that the demand for ex*****on is a pressure lever for FG.
His wife clearly pointed to the 'but' clause in her husband's possible freedom, which in clear wording means "Kanu will be free, 'but' he must publicly end his agitation and seek forgiveness.
Other sources say the FG has cancelled the demand of agitating within the confines of the law; they want complete withdrawal from the agitation.
Kanu has announced in his Sokoto Declaration his intention to fight for a new Nigeria and constitution; yet, the federal government is not satisfied with the way the message was passed. The report further says.
The state of the negotiation: Kanu is ready to drop his agitation but wants the agreement to be private and a gentleman's agreement or the same framework as his first bail conditions. Kanu doesn't trust the federal government anymore, and the federal government doesn't trust him.
