The Supreme Court has granted the federal government permission to file nine new grounds of appeal against Nnamdi Kanu’s release as leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The federal government, represented by Tijani Gadzali, requested leave to include nine new grounds in its amended notice of appeal dated October 28, 2022.
On Thursday, a five-member panel of the court led by John Okoro granted the application.
At the hearing, Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, also informed the panel of some applications concerning his client’s bail due to “deteriorating” health.
He requested that the Supreme Court either grant the IPOB leader bail or transfer him to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja pending the hearing and determination of the substantive appeal.
The prosecution, on the other hand, raised an objection, claiming that the DSS facility is well-equipped to handle whatever health issues Kanu may be experiencing.
After hearing the arguments, the apex court panel advised Ozekhome to withdraw his applications in order for the main suit to be heard as soon as possible.
Access extends further
The Nigerian government extradited Kanu from Kenya in June 2021 to face terrorism charges in Abuja.
He was then re-arrested in front of Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge in Abuja, on a 15-count terrorism charge.
However, on April 8, 2022, while ruling on Kanu’s preliminary objection challenging the charge’s validity, the judge dismissed eight of the fifteen counts.
Following that, the IPOB leader filed an appeal against the remaining seven counts.
On October 13, the appellate court ruled that the federal government could not prosecute the IPOB leader for violating his human rights and extradition laws by bringing him back to Nigeria forcibly.
As a result, the remaining counts were dismissed and Kanu was released.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing the federal government’s appeal of the October 13th judgement.
