The Supreme Court is set to announce its verdict on the appeal requesting the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention tommorow, December 15.
A five-member panel, chaired by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, scheduled this judgement following the conclusion of arguments from legal representatives of both the Federal Government and Kanu’s legal team back in October.
Represented by Kanu Agabi, the IPOB leader’s legal team advocated for Kanu’s immediate release and demanded significant punitive costs against the Federal Government. Conversely, Mike Ozehkome presented Kanu’s appeal to the Supreme Court panel, emphasizing on the release plea and the imposition of substantial penalties on the government.
In contrast, counsel to the Federal Government, Tijani Gazzali, urged the apex court to support the amended argument filed on May 3, 2023. Gazzali requested the court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s judgment, which ordered Kanu’s release, and recommence his trial in Abuja on charges related to terrorism.
Gazzali also urged the apex court to reject Kanu’s cross-appeal.
Previously, on October 13, 2022, the Abuja Court of Appeal ruled for Kanu’s release, asserting his unlawful abduction and transfer from Kenya to Nigeria to face charges of treason and terrorism. Despite this ruling, Nigerian prosecutors have appealed, keeping Kanu, who is in his mid-50s, in custody.
Kanu, a former London estate agent and the operator of the banned Radio Biafra station, was initially arrested in 2015 but fled bail two years later, resurfacing in the UK and Israel.
The Nigerian government has labeled IPOB a terrorist organization, accusing it of exacerbating ethnic tensions by alleging genocide against the Igbo people.