Fact-Check: No, Kenya Hasn’t Taken Nigeria to the ICC Over Nnamdi Kanu — Viral Facebook Claims Debunked
Fact-check report debunks viral Facebook claims that Kenya has taken Nigeria to the ICC over Nnamdi Kanu’s detention. Here’s what official records, court rulings, and verified sources actually reveal.
Summary of Claims Circulating Online
A Facebook page has gone viral with a series of sensational claims surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The posts allege that Kenya has taken Nigeria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over Kanu’s detention, alongside several other unverified statements involving Kenyan and British judges and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Below are the five major claims fact-checked and verified by Famous Reporters, citing investigations from Ripples Nigeria and other credible sources.
Claim #1: A Kenyan judge said the Nigerian government “kidnapped” Nnamdi Kanu and should return him to Kenya.
Verdict: Partially true.
In June 2025, Justice Enoch Chacha Mwita of Kenya’s Milimani Law Courts ruled that Nnamdi Kanu’s transfer to Nigeria was unconstitutional, declaring it a violation of his rights and fundamental freedoms under the Kenyan Constitution.
The judge also ordered Kenya’s Attorney General to pay Kshs 10,000,000 (approximately ₦199.5 million) in damages for breaching Kanu’s rights.
However, the viral Facebook post misrepresents the ruling by claiming the judge directly accused Nigeria of “kidnapping” Kanu or issued a letter to a Nigerian judge — neither of which can be independently verified.
Claim #2: Kenya has taken Nigeria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over Kanu’s detention.
Verdict: False.
There is no record of any ICC case between Kenya and Nigeria regarding Nnamdi Kanu.
The ICC’s official case list (33 cases as of 2025) contains no such filing.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, publicly debunked the claim in a Reuters interview, stating:
“No such statement has been issued by Kenya. The message is outside the remit of the ICC in any event.”
No reputable media outlet in either Kenya or Nigeria has reported such a diplomatic move.
Claim #3: Hundreds of Kenyans protested at the Nigerian Embassy demanding Kanu’s release.
Verdict: False.
Reverse-image searches revealed that the photos used to depict alleged protests were from an entirely unrelated 2024 demonstration in Nairobi against Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024 — not about Nnamdi Kanu.
The placard inscriptions had been digitally altered to read “Return Nnamdi Kanu to Kenya.”
Claim #4: England’s Chief Judge ordered Nigeria to release Nnamdi Kanu within 24 hours.
Verdict: False.
No British court or judge has issued such an order.
The post attributes the claim to Justice Margaret Obi, a recently appointed High Court judge in England and Wales and former Nigerian solicitor. However, there is no evidence that she made such pronouncements.
While the UK courts have heard cases concerning Kanu’s rendition and citizenship, none have demanded his release or halted his trial in Nigeria.
Claim #5: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed worry over Kanu defending himself in court.
Verdict: No proof.
There is no verifiable record or statement from former President Obasanjo expressing concern over Kanu’s self-representation or suggesting that his courtroom speeches could “lead Nigeria to chaos.”
In 2024, Obasanjo denied making any public comment about Kanu’s case following meetings with South-East governors.
Conclusion
All five viral claims are misleading or false — except for the partially true report confirming that a Kenyan court declared Kanu’s transfer to Nigeria illegal.
There is no evidence that:
Kenya has dragged Nigeria before the ICC,
Kenyan citizens have protested at the Nigerian Embassy,
a British judge ordered Kanu’s release, or
Obasanjo made any statements regarding Kanu’s trial.
The pattern of posts analyzed suggests a deliberate campaign of misinformation by pro-Kanu social media pages seeking to shape public perception following the recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protests in Nigeria.
