In a landmark ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that ordered the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a panel of five Justices, criticized the Federal Government’s “irresponsible” actions in forcibly bringing Kanu back to Nigeria from Kenya, yet maintained that such actions did not strip the trial court of its jurisdiction to proceed with Kanu’s case.
The verdict, penned by Justice Garba Mohammed but delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, highlighted the absence of legislation that would bar the trial court from hearing Kanu’s case despite the government’s unlawful actions against him. It indicated that Kanu’s recourse lay in initiating a civil action against the government.
It however slammed FG, saying it must be conscious of its image, both locally and internationally, even as it knocked the trial court for revoking Kanu’s bail after he escaped to save his life following the invasion of his home by security agents.
The IPOB leader, who was first arrested by security agents in Lagos on October 14, 2015, has been in detention since June 29, 2021.