Lead counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Chief Barrister Maxwell C. Opara, has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from News Central Television over an alleged inciting statement made during one of the station's live broadcasts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Opara said his legal team was reacting to comments made during a News Central programme aired on July 19, 2026, in which a guest, identified as Chigozie Nnabugwu, allegedly stated that "the best thing is for the Federal Government to kill Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and that's the only thing to bring peace in Nigeria."
According to the lawyer, the programme's anchor allowed the statement to be aired without caution, condemnation or a disclaimer, thereby giving national prominence to what he described as a call for the extrajudicial killing of his client.
Opara maintained that Kanu's case remains sub judice, noting that an appeal challenging his conviction and sentence is currently pending before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
He argued that public comments capable of prejudicing ongoing judicial proceedings could amount to contempt of court and violate established legal and broadcasting standards.
The lawyer disclosed that, acting on Kanu's instructions, his chambers had written a formal letter dated July 22, 2026, to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of News Central Television demanding:
- An immediate retraction of the statement on the same platform with equal prominence.
- An unreserved public apology to Nnamdi Kanu.
- Appropriate disciplinary action against the programme's anchor and producer.
Opara also issued a warning to media organisations, presenters, commentators and members of the public against making statements he said could constitute contempt of court, defamation, hate speech or incitement in relation to Kanu while his appeal remains before the courts.
He warned that any individual or media organisation found engaging in such conduct could face both civil and criminal legal proceedings without further notice.
The legal team further urged media organisations to uphold the principles of fairness, balance and the rule of law, particularly when reporting or discussing matters that are still pending before the courts.
As of the time of filing this report, News Central Television had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demands contained in the letter.
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