The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed December 15 as judgement date on the appeal filed by Leader of proscribed Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB seeking to compel the Nigerian Government to release him from detention.
The Apex Court in Thursday led by five-member panel headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, fixed the date for the judgement, after both counsels adopted their final addresses.
Counsel to Ndamdi Kanu, Professor Mike Ozehkome SAN while submitting his final address prayed the court to order the immediate release of his client from detention.
He also asked the Apex court to award very heavy cost against on the Nigerian government.
Ozekhome while urging the court to uphold the Cross-Appeal in order to do justice said, the lower court ordered his release and that Kanu never be prosecuted again on the same counts.
In his submission, Counsel to Nigerian government who is a Director, Civil Appeals at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Tijhani Gazzali, SAN, urged the Apex court to uphold the amended brief of argument he filed on May 3, 2023.
He prayed the court to allow the appeal and set-aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal which ordered Kanu’s release.
Gazali asked the court to order the resumption of Kanu’s trial before the Federal High Court Abuja on terrorism related charges.
Recall that a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of the court of Appeal quashed the 15-count terrorism charges against the detained IPOB leader, before the Federal High Court.
The court said it was satisfied that Nigerian government violated all known laws, when it forcefully renditioned Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria for the continuation of his trial.
Dissatisfied with the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian government took the matter before the Supreme Court.
After listening to their arguments, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, fixed December 15 for judgement.
Speaking to journalists, Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu Professor Mike Ozekhome appealed to Nigerian government to release his client in the interest of national unity, integration and development.
Also his counterpart from the Nigerian government Mr.Tijjani Gazali SAN expressed hope for a favourable judgment.
