The Supreme Court has set December 15 as the date for delivering its judgment regarding the appeal seeking the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.
A five-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, made this decision on Thursday after considering the final submissions presented by the federal government’s counsel, Tijani Gazali (SAN), and Kanu’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
The federal government’s lawyer urged the Supreme Court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s judgment that revoked the treasonable felony charge against Kanu and ordered his release.
On the other hand, Ozekhome, representing Kanu, requested not only the immediate release of his client but also the imposition of a “very heavy and punitive cost” on the federal government.
Ozekhome emphasized that justice should be delivered in this case, highlighting that Kanu has been in detention since June 29, 2021, despite a previous court order for his release.
He urged the Supreme Court to use this case, similar to the precedent set in Ojukwu Vs State, to demonstrate that no individual or government is above the law.
Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously ordered Kanu’s release from detention in a judgment delivered on October 13, 2022.
The appellate court also dismissed a 15-count terrorism charge against Kanu, ruling that the federal government’s actions violated established laws when Kanu was forcibly brought from Kenya to Nigeria for trial, stripping the trial court of its jurisdiction to continue with the case.
However, dissatisfied with the judgement, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court