The legal team representing detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has threatened legal action against News Central Television and one of its guests, Chigozie Nnabugwu, over remarks allegedly calling for Kanu’s extrajudicial killing.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, accused the television guest of urging the Federal Government to kill the IPOB leader during a programme aired on News Central TV. According to the legal team, the comments were later shared on the station’s verified X account on July 19 and subsequently went viral.
The lawyers described the alleged remarks as “reckless, irresponsible and unlawful,” arguing that they posed a threat to Kanu’s life and had the potential to incite violence and undermine public order.
According to the statement, the legal team believes the comments may constitute an offence under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, which prohibits the intentional transmission of electronic messages that threaten life or are capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. They also argued that additional legal issues could arise under the Criminal Code relating to alleged incitement to violence.
The lawyers further accused News Central Television of providing a platform for what they described as inflammatory content. They warned that the broadcaster could face regulatory scrutiny for allegedly violating broadcasting rules relating to public safety, incitement and responsible broadcasting.
The statement also maintained that calls for the extrajudicial killing of Kanu while his case remains before the courts could amount to contempt of court, insisting that public commentary should not interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings.
Kanu’s legal team disclosed that it is reviewing all available legal options, including filing formal complaints with the relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities.
As part of its demands, the lawyers called on Chigozie Nnabugwu to immediately retract the alleged statement, while urging News Central Television to issue an unreserved televised apology for airing the comments.
The statement concluded by describing the notice as a formal pre-action warning, stating that legal proceedings would be initiated if both the broadcaster and the guest fail to take what the legal team considers appropriate remedial steps.
