Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Saga: IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Abaribe Express Concerns
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and former Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe have expressed disappointment over the continued detention of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Excel Magazine International recalls the Supreme Court on Friday overturned a lower court’s judgment dismissing terrorism charges against Kanu.
The apex court held that the court of appeal was wrong and that the trial court couldn’t try him because the prosecution violated his rights.
Justice Garba Mohammed, in the court’s statement, condemned the invasion of Kanu’s residence, asserting that the trial court couldn’t proceed due to the violation of his rights.
“If the police should destroy the house of a suspect to obtain exhibits, should that prevent the court from entertaining the offense?” Justice Mohammed remarked, emphasizing the need for adherence to the rule of law.
“His remedy should be the way of civil proceeding. Proceedings can’t be stopped on account of the violation of the rights of the suspects; that is not our law for now.”
IPOB, through spokesman Emma Powerful, labeled Kanu’s ongoing detention as ‘unconstitutional,’ asserting the legality of self-determination.
Powerful commended Anambra and Enugu state governors for advocating Kanu’s unconditional release.
Former Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, appealed for Kanu’s release and urged a return to non-violent means of agitation.
Abaribe, calling the judgment unfortunate, urged calm, expressing optimism in the government taking swift action for national cohesion.
Nnamdi Kanu, initially arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, fled the country after a military invasion, and re-arrested in Kenya in 2021.
Charges against him evolved from treasonable felony to terrorism and membership in a proscribed group.
The former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, withdrew initial charges, replacing them with a fresh 14-count charge, including terrorism-related offenses.
