IPOB: Anxiety rises as Supreme Court delivers verdict on Nnamdi Kanu case today

Supporters of the arrested Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader are experiencing anxiety as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the accusations against the separatist leader.

Since his re-arrest in Kenya in June 2021, when he was handed over to extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, Kanu has been detained.

Following his return, he was charged with four felonies by the Nigerian government: defamation of former President Muhammadu Buhari, unlawful importation of radio equipment, treasonable felony, and conspiracy to conduct treasonable felony. The charges were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Read Also: Supreme Court will render its decision on Nnamdi Kanu tomorrow

Later, former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami withdrew the accusations and filed a new 14-count indictment pertaining to terrorism and membership in a prohibited organisation in its place.

The Appeal Court subsequently rejected the court’s reduction of the charges to seven counts.

The Nigerian government appealed the Appeal Court’s decision to the Supreme Court because it was unhappy with it.

Sociopolitical activist from Abuja, Deji Adeyanju, commented on the highly anticipated ruling, saying the Supreme Court ought to grant Kanu bail.

“I hope the Supreme Court will render a decision that is acceptable to all parties, but whatever the Supreme Court rules, some people will not be able to accept it,” he stated.

The Ojukwu v. Lagos State government case illustrates how the judiciary’s original intent is undermined when rational citizens return home with the impression that it is biassed. We are pleading with our judges to render a decision that will restore public trust in the legal system.

Politicians need to learn to accept defeat when they lose elections rather than becoming bitter losers.

Kanu ought to be granted bail; it is not a means of avoiding punishment. The defendant has the chance to present a strong defence. This idea of making people political prisoners, in my opinion, is unacceptable.

Many Nigerians, according to businessman Mike Oke of Abuja, anticipate Kanu’s release on Friday, arguing that this will improve security in the South-East.