Supreme Court fixes December 15th to deliver judgement in Nnamdi Kanu’s case
The Supreme Court has fixed December 15th as the judgement date for the case against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Supreme Court would deliver judgement on the appeal seeking to compel the federal government to release the IPOB leader from detention.
The court of appeal had previously ordered the release of Mr Kanu in a judgement delivered on October 13, 2022.
The three-member panel in the appellate court unanimously rejected a 15-count terrorism charge the FG entered against the IPOB leader, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The federal government, unsatisfied with the judgement, proceeded to take the matter before the Supreme Court.
At the proceedings on Thursday at the Supreme Court, a five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, fixed the matter for judgement after hearing the final briefs from both parties.
While adopting his final brief, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, counsel for Mr Kanu, urged the court to order the immediate release of his client and penalise the federal government with a heavy punitive cost.
“We urge my lords to uphold our Cross-Appeal to do substantial justice to this matter and to the Respondent who has been in detention since June 29, 2021, even after the lower court ordered his release and that he should never be prosecuted again on the same counts,”Mr Ozekhome said.
“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,” he added.
However, counsel for the FG, Tijani Gazalli, SAN, urged the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement delivered by the appeal court which ordered Mr Kanu’s release.
He then prayed the court to order the resumption of Mr Kanu’s trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja for terrorism-related charges.
Mr Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has been detained by the federal government since June 29, 2021.
South-East leaders have collectively demanded his release for an improved security in their region.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Communal Clash: Adeleke seizes disputed land in two LGAs
Mr Adeleke called on traditional rulers and community leaders to call their subjects to order.
NationWide
112,351 passports uncollected across Nigeria: NIS
Ms Adepoju said, “91,981 passport booklets have been collected so far. There are 112,351 others not yet collected.”
States
Reps urge FG to declare state of emergency on environmental degradation in Edo
They also urged the Ministry of Works to compel the road project contractor to resume work without delay.
Abuja
FCTA sets up panel to investigate death of ‘one-chance’ victim
She said that the duration for the investigation and submission of the report is one week.
NationWide
Reps task FG on payment of judgment debts
He said it was essential to address the judgment debts responsibly and transparently.
Agriculture
Niger govt. to plant 19 million trees in two years
“This is to make the state a green hub of the nation and attract local and international guests,” he said.
