The Supreme Court is scheduled to announce its judgment tomorrow, December 15, on the appeal urging the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.
The decision follows the adoption of final briefs of argument by both the Federal Government and Kanu’s legal representatives in October. The five-member panel, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, set the date for the judgment.
Kanu’s legal team, led by Kanu Agabi, and the appeal presented by Mike Ozehkome urged the court not only to order Kanu’s immediate release but also to impose substantial and punitive costs on the Federal Government. The eagerly anticipated judgment aims to provide clarity on this contentious issue.
In his submission, however, counsel to the Federal Government, Tijani Gazzali, urged the apex court to uphold the amended brief of argument he filed on May 3, 2023.
Gazzali asked the court to allow FG’s appeal, set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal which ordered Kanu’s release, and order the resumption of his trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges.
Gazzali further urged the apex court to dismiss Kanu’s cross-appeal. On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal Abuja delivered a judgement ordering Kanu’s release from detention.
The Court ruled that he was abducted, ill-treated, and “illegally moved” from Kenya to Nigeria to face treason and terrorism charges.
The judges dismissed the criminal case but Nigerian prosecutors have appealed the case and Kanu has since remained in custody.
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