… “Unbelievable”, says Ohanaeze Ndigbo
The Supreme Court declined to order the release of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
The apex court, in the judgement delivered yesterday by Justice Emmanuel Agim, but prepared by Justice Garba Lawal, held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to rule that Kanu could not be tried again based on the illegality perpetrated against him by the Federal Government, following the invasion of his home.
In upholding the Government’s appeal, the Supreme Court held that Kanu must face trial at the Federal High Court.
Also, the Court held that although the Nigerian Government was reckless and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such 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 the grounds of unlawful abduction from Kenya. According to the Court, at the moment, the remedy for such an action is for Kanu to file a civil matter against the act instead of removing the powers of the courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
In a swift reaction however, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, expressed shock and disbelief over the Supreme Court’s recent decision nullifying the Court of Appeal’s order to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB).
Ohanaeze spokesperson, Alex Ogbonnia, stated that the organisation will analyse the judgement and formulate its official stance. He highlighted the seemingly contradictory nature of the ruling, emphasising that “the court cannot approbate and reprobate”.
He explained that while the court acknowledged the government’s illegal abduction of Kanu from Kenya, it simultaneously allowed his trial to proceed, implying that the Government gains from its own wrongful act.
Ogbonnia emphasised that Ohanaeze will convene to thoroughly examine the decision’s implications for Southeast security and the well-being of its people, culminating in a formal position on Kanu’s ongoing trial.
