The Supreme Court has set December 15th as the date to determine Nnamdi Kanu's fate. Ki

The Supreme Court has scheduled December 15 as the date for delivering its judgment on the appeal filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently facing challenges. The appeal seeks to compel the Federal Government to release him from detention.

A panel of five judges from the apex court, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, approved the case for judgment after the lawyers representing both the Federal Government and the detained IPOB leader presented their final arguments.

FG was represented by a team of lawyers led by Mr. T. A. Gazzali, SAN, who is the Acting Director of Civil Appeals at the Federal Ministry of Justice. On the other hand, Kanu's legal team was led by Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Through his legal counsel, Professor Mike Ozehkome, SAN, Kanu requested the court to not only order his immediate release from detention but also to impose significant and punitive costs on the Federal Government.

We urge my lords to uphold our Cross-Appeal in order to do substantial justice to this matter and to the Respondent who has been in detention since June 29, 2021, even after the lower court ordered his release and that he should never be prosecuted again on the same counts. They are still holding him unconstitutionally. We pray my lords to deliver justice and use this case, just like in Ojukwu Vs State, to demonstrate that no man or government should be above the law, Ozehkome, SAN, pleaded

In his submission, FG's lawyer, Gazzali, SAN, urged the apex court to uphold the amended brief of argument he filed on May 3, 2023.

He requested the court to grant the appeal of the FG, overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal that ordered Kanu's release, and instruct the resumption of his trial on terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had issued a judgment on October 13, 2022, ordering the release of Kanu from detention. The appellate court, consisting of a three-member panel, made a unanimous decision to quash the 15-count terrorism charge that was filed by the FG against the detained IPOB leader. This occurred before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court stated that it was convinced that FG flagrantly violated established laws by forcefully extraditing Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial. The argument was that the Nigerian government's arbitrary use of power deprived the trial court of jurisdiction to proceed with Kanu's trial.

However, feeling unsatisfied with the judgment, FG decided to bring the matter before the Supreme Court. The appellate court was further convinced to temporarily halt the execution of the judgment while it considers the appeal.