The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has expressed shock and disbelief after the Supreme Court nullified the Court of Appeal’s judgement ordering the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“The court held that the government abduction of Kanu from Kenya was illegal and at the same time said he should face trial, which means the government will benefit from its wrongs by this judgement, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze spokesman, said in a phone interview.
Ogbonnia further stated that Ohanaeze will convene to analyse the ruling and its implications for both the security of the Southeast and the well-being of its people.
On Friday morning, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel, acknowledged the illegality of Kanu’s extradition from Kenya. However, they ruled that this did not prevent the trial court from continuing its proceedings.
The court also criticised the trial court’s revocation of Kanu’s bail after his 2017 escape, triggered by the invasion of his home by security forces, which resulted in casualties.
Kanu, initially arrested in Lagos in 2015, has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021.
