The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the treasonable charges against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The apex court issued its ruling on Friday morning, maintaining the decision that had been scheduled for December 15 regarding the case involving the IPOB leader.
Previously, the Court of Appeal had released Mr. Kanu in a judgment on October 13, 2022, rejecting the 15-count terrorism charge brought against him by the government at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. The federal government appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s judgment, arguing that Kanu should stand trial for treasonable felony. The government claimed that the Court of Appeal’s decision, which quashed the charges and ordered Kanu’s release, was based on the assertion that he was unlawfully brought back to the country after jumping bail.
Tijani Gazali, representing the federal government, urged the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment and uphold the Federal High Court’s decision that Kanu should face trial. Meanwhile, Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s counsel, called for the dismissal of the government’s appeal and requested the court to uphold Kanu’s discharge and acquittal. Despite Kanu being in custody since June 29, 2021, the Supreme Court declined to order his release.
Justice Garba Lawal, in the written judgment, nullified the Court of Appeal’s decision, stating that the Nigerian government’s unlawful arrest of Kanu did not preclude the continuation of the trial. The justice emphasized that while the government’s actions were reckless, the courts could still proceed with the criminal charges against Kanu. The Supreme Court ordered Kanu to defend himself against the remaining seven-count terrorism charges.
