The Supreme Court has been contacted by Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision to delay the implementation of its earlier ruling discharging him of alleged terrorism and other charges leveled against him by the Federal Governent.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a lawyer for Kanu, stated in a statement that the defense team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, felt it was necessary to appeal the verdict at the Supreme Court.
The defense team for Kanu claims that the apex court should overturn the above mentioned decision since it is not supported by the law or the evidence.
The legal team stated that Nnamdi Kanu has given his blessing to their choice.
Ejiofor stated that the team will monitor the administrative procedure to guarantee that both appeals receive an expedited hearing in accordance with the Supreme Court’s current fast track regulations.
The Federal Government’s request for a stay of the execution of the October 13 verdict that freed Kanu was approved by the Court of Appeal on Friday.
Additionally, Justice Haruna Tsammani directed that the Supreme Court receive the decision’s outcome within seven days for a prompt hearing.
When the Supreme Court hears the case, Kanu will still be in the Department of State Services’ custody.
Kanu, who is being sued by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations that include treasonable crime and terrorism, was exonerated by the Court of Appeal on October 13.
In light of his “abduction and extraordinary rendition” to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the African Union treaty and protocol on extradition, a three-person panel of the Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the power to trial him.
Prior to being illegally extradited to Nigeria in blatant violation of international treaties, the court further concluded that the allegations presented against Kanu did not specify the location, date, and nature of the alleged offenses.
The Federal Government had requested that the judgment’s implementation be put on hold while its Supreme Court appeal was being heard in order to prevent Kanu’s later release.
Justice Tsanammi, however, ruled last Friday that the rebuttal affidavit Kanu’s legal team submitted in opposition to the Federal Government’s plea was false.