Court grants Nigerian Government leave to bring 9 grounds against Kanu’s release

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted leave to the Nigerian Government to bring nine new grounds of appeal against the release of Biafra agitator, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who is currently in detention.

The apex court granted leave as part of the Nigerian Government’s amended notice of appeal which is dated 28th October 2022.

A five-member panel of justices led by Justice John Okoro granted the leave on Thursday while ruling on the motion by the counsel to the Nigerian Government, Tijani Gadzali.

Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome, told the court of his motions seeking for bail his client and another seeking his transfer to the Kuje Correctional Facility to get proper medical attention citing his failing health at the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Ozekhome prayed for an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Counsel to Nigerian government Tijani Gadzali while speaking on the motion for the transfer of Kanu from the custody of the DSS, prayed for an adjournment to file a counter affidavit as he just took over the matter.

The court subsequently fixed May 11 for a hearing on the pending motion and the main appeal.

Recall that the Appeal court had on October 13, 2022, cleared Kanu of Alleged treason and terrorism charges against him after dismissing the remaining six counts of charges against him by the Nigerian Government.

The Appeal Court panel faulted the process of Kanu’s extradition back to Nigeria from Kenya on grounds of it being in breach of international protocol.

Another panel of the same court, however, on the 28th of October 2022, reversed its earlier decision ordering a stay of execution pending a hearing and determination of the appeal of the Supreme Court.

Dominica Nwabufo