The Supreme Court on Friday turned down an appeal to release of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
The Apex Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim but written by Justice Garba Lawal, voided and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which in October last year ordered the release of Kanu and also quashed the terrorism charges against him.
Supreme Court held that although the Nigerian Government was reckless and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such an unlawful act has not divested any Court from proceeding with trial.
Justice Lawal said that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya, adding that at the moment, the remedy for such action is for Kanu to file a Civil matter against such act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
The Apex Court subsequently ordered Kanu to go and defend himself in the remaining seven counts of terrorism charges against him.
Newssphere recalls that the Biafra Republic Government in Exile had declared a week long sit-at-home to press for the release of Kanu and sought Biafra referedum.
In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested by the Department of State Security; since then, several courts including the Court of appeal, had ordered his release.