The Supreme Court of Nigeria has permitted the Federal Government to appeal the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on nine new grounds.
Thursday, a five-member panel headed by Justice John Okoro granted the leave while ruling on the motion by Mr. Tijani Gadzali, counsel for the Federal Government.
The Supreme Court also granted the Federal Government permission to include these nine new grounds in its amended notice of appeal dated October 28, 2022.
Counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome, informed the court at the resumption of the hearing of his motions seeking bail for his client and his transfer to the Kuje Correctional Facility in order to receive proper medical care, citing his failing health while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He also requested an expedited hearing on the matter.
Speaking on the motion for Kanu’s release from DSS custody, the Federal Government’s attorney requested an adjournment to submit a counter affidavit, stating that he had just assumed responsibility for the case.
The court advised Ozekhome to withdraw the pending motions in order to allow him to concentrate on the main appeal, as it appears likely that hearing the motion, particularly the one seeking Nnamdi Kanu’s transfer, will delay the hearing of the main case.
The court scheduled a hearing on the pending motion and the primary appeal for May 11.
Recall that on October 13, 2022, the Appeal court acquitted Kanu of alleged treason and terrorism charges by dismissing the remaining six counts brought against him by the Federal Government.
The panel of the Appeal Court criticised the process of extraditing him back to Nigeria from Kenya on the grounds that it violated international protocol.
On the 28th of October 2022, however, another tribunal of the same court reversed its earlier decision ordering a stay of execution pending a hearing and determination of the supreme court’s appeal.
