Ayodeji Ayenuwa
On December 15 2023, the Supreme Court will make a significant decision regarding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently detained.
This decision follows the review of final arguments by both the Federal Government and Kanu’s legal teams, as announced by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s panel.
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team, led by Mr. Kanu Agabi, is strongly advocating for his immediate release and urging the imposition of a substantial punitive cost on the government.
They assert that he has been unlawfully detained since June 29, 2021, despite a previous court order for his release.
In their plea, Prof. Mike Ozehkome, SAN, firmly asserted their position, stating, “We urge my lords to uphold our Cross-Appeal in order to do substantial justice to this matter and to the Respondent who has been in detention since June 29, 2021, even after the lower court ordered his release.”
Conversely, the Federal Government, represented by Mr. T. A. Gazzali, SAN, is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s ruling that ordered Kanu’s release.
The Federal Government aims to continue his trial on terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Gazzali, SAN, urged “the Supreme Court to grant the federal government’s appeal, overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision to release Kanu, and instruct the continuation of his terrorism-related trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.”
The Court of Appeal had previously dismissed all 15 terrorism charges against Kanu and ordered his release on October 13, 2022, and criticized the government’s actions, saying they “blatantly disregarded established laws” in forcibly extraditing him from Kenya to face trial in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court’s decision on December 15 holds immense significance for Kanu’s legal status and the ongoing legal battle between him and the Federal Government.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
