It is a tensed atmosphere in the southeastern part of Nigeria following the decision of the Supreme Court to deliver judgement on the terrorism charges against leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, later today.
Report say since the beginning of the week, most popular places have been witnessing unusual gatherings, with discussions bordering on the apex court’s judgment on Kanu.
In Enugu, Obiagu/Edinburgh roundabout, Liberty in Abakpa; St Patrick in Coal Camp; St Patrick’s School in Emene, Gariki, Ugboezeji in Transekulu and Agric bank bus stop in Independence Layout have turned into a gathering of a sort, with tricycle (keke) riders discussing the development.
Politics Nigeria reports that Kanu has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 when the Federal Government re-arrested and returned him from Kenya.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared illegal and unlawful his abduction from Kenya and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the government.
The appellant court, in the verdict by Justice Oludotun Adebola, held that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the charges against him incompetent and unlawful.
The court stated that the failure of the government to disclose where and when the alleged offences were committed was also fatal to the terrorism charges and made them liable to dismissal.
However, following an appeal by the government at the Supreme Court, another panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Haruna Tsanami, ordered Kanu’s release to be put on hold.
The Federal Government has said that the IPOB leader be made to stand trial on the charges.
The apex court had, during its sitting of October 5 this year, reserved judgment in the matter till Friday, December 15.
