The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing in the suit filed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, until September 14.
IPOB had on November 3, 2022 filled an appeal to the Supreme Court over the Court Appeal’s judgement on October 28, 2022 which stopped the release of Kanu, staying the execution of its earlier judgement which acquitted Kanu of all charges and directing the Department of State Services (DSS) to release him.
The apex court had, on April 27, 2023, heard the case but adjourned the matter till Thursday (today).
At the time of filing the appeal, the lead lawyer for IPOB and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had in a statement said, “We have appealed to the Supreme Court, to set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, staying the execution of the court’s judgment discharging him, and placing a further bar to any further detention and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu on any charge/indictment before any court in Nigeria.
“Recall that on October 28, 2022, a three-person panel of Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal (Abuja Judicial Division), granted an application for the stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, pending the determination of the appeal filed before the Supreme Court by the Federal Government.
“After a thorough review of the said ruling by our defence team, eminently led by foremost leading Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), an informed decision was taken by the erudite Senior Advocate, and the entire team, that the said ruling, which has no foundation in law or facts, placed before the court, should be immediately appealed against, for it to be set aside by the Apex Court.
“Our well-informed position was given a final nod by our indefatigable client, Nnamdi Kanu, during my last visit to him.
“We therefore, by this medium, inform the general public, and Umuchineke in particular, that we have filed an appeal against the said ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on October 28, 2022, and will proactively follow up on the admi.nistrative process to ensure that both appeals are given accelerated hearings in line with the extant fast-track rules of the Supreme Court.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
