In Abuja, the Supreme Court has rejected the Court of Appeal’s decision that cleared Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), of treason charges by the federal government.
The Supreme Court contends that Kanu’s return from Kenya, after jumping bail, was unlawful, emphasizing that this situation wouldn’t have arisen if he had not evaded trial by leaving the jurisdiction.
The federal government urged the court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which dismissed the treasonable felony charge against Kanu and ordered his release due to the illegality of his return to Nigeria.
The government’s lawyer, Tijani Gazali, insisted on upholding the federal high court’s decision to proceed with Kanu’s trial.
Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu appealed to the Supreme Court to uphold the Court of Appeal’s verdict, affirming his discharge and acquittal.
Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s counsel, urged the apex court to reject the government’s appeal, impose punitive costs, and maintain the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
Ozekhome emphasized the importance of allowing Kanu’s cross-appeal to stand, highlighting that Kanu has been in detention since June 2021.
