Nnamdi Kanu’s future to be decided december 15

The Supreme Court has decided to deliver  judgment on the appeal seeking to compel the Federal Government to release the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on the 15th of December 2023.

The Court of Appeal  had  a judgment delivered on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s release.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court also overrule the terrorism charges filed against the IPOB leader by the Federal Government.

However, dissatisfied with the judgment, the Federal Government appealed at the Supreme Court.

At the proceedings on Thursday,  a five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, fixed the matter for judgment after the parties adopted their final briefs.

Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozehkome (SAN), urged the court to not only order the immediate release of Kanu but to also award a heavy punitive cost against the government.

“We urge My Lords to uphold our cross-appeal and do substantial justice to this matter in favour of the respondent who has been in detention since June 29, 2021, even after the lower court ordered his release. My Lords should also order that he should never be prosecuted again on the same counts.

“They are still holding him unconstitutionally. We pray My Lords to deliver justice and use this case, just like in Ojukwu vs. State, to demonstrate that no man or government should be above the law,” Ozekhome said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised the alarm over who they termed, ‘agents of darkness’ threatening people and demanding money to support the group in realising its dream of an independent nation.

The group said that the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, its members and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives have never threatened people for money, adding that those involved in such evil are autopilot members led by criminal Simon Ekpa.