The two appeals heard were marked SC/CR/1394/2022, NNAMDI KANU V. FED. REP OF NIGERIA; and SC/CR/1391/2023, FED. REP OF NIG VS NNAMDI KANU.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed December 15, 2023, for judgement after hearing two separate appeals filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, over his continued detention.
SaharaReporters reported on September 30, 2023, that Nigeria's apex court had fixed today (Thursday) for the definite hearing on two separate appeals filed by the detained IPOB leader through his lawyers against his continued detention.
The two appeals heard were marked SC/CR/1394/2022, NNAMDI KANU V. FED. REP OF NIGERIA; and SC/CR/1391/2023, FED. REP OF NIG VS NNAMDI KANU.
Meanwhile, after the hearing, the apex court fixed December 15 for judgement on the continued detention of Kanu.
Kanu's legal team was led by the new lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, appearing with Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Mr Aloy Ejimakor Esqs.
Ejimakor in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle shortly after the court session, said, " Today at the Supreme Court, the new Lead Counsel (KANU AGABI, SAN), informed the Court that he’s appearing with Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Ifeanyi Ejiofor & my humble self. Thereafter, the hearing was conducted & the Court adjourned to 15th Dec for judgment.
“Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, led Ifeanyi Ejiofor in the appeal which they won from the Federal High Court and at the Court of Appeal.”
SaharaReporters had reported that the Court of Appeal in October 2022 discharged Kanu of the 15 counts against him. The appellate court subsequently barred any further arrest, detention and trial of Kanu on the existing charges before his forceful extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria by the agents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 27th of June, 2021.
The Federal Government later appealed against the judgement at the Supreme Court and subsequently got another panel of the Court of Appeal to stay the judgement of the appellate court.
Despite the judgement, Kanu has remained in solitary confinement at the facility of the Department of State Services (DSS), nearly one year after the judgement discharging him.