‘Supreme Court opened new window for my release’ – IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu

On Thursday, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stated that the recent Supreme Court judgment has created a new legal opportunity for his release. Kanu revealed this during a regular meeting with his legal team, headed by his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and Barrister Nnaemeka, at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja.

Despite expressing disappointment with the judgment, Kanu believes that certain aspects of it have provided a fresh legal avenue to pursue his release. In a post on X, Ejimakor shared an update on the meeting, mentioning Kanu’s sentiments and his confidence in the new legal possibilities. Ejimakor’s post read, “UPDATE: I met with #MNK today in tow with Barr Nnaemeka. Onyendu expressed his profound disappointment with the Supreme Court judgment but he believes that aspects of the judgement have opened a new legal window to pursue his release. He asked all and sundry to remain confident.”

The Supreme Court had rejected an appeal for the release of the embattled IPOB leader from detention. In its judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, with the written opinion by Justice Garba Lawal, the Supreme Court overturned the Appeal Court’s ruling that had acquitted Kanu of all terrorism charges in October 2022. The Supreme Court held that, although the Nigerian government had unlawfully transported Kanu from Kenya, such an act did not prevent any court from proceeding with the trial. Justice Lawal also emphasized that no Nigerian law was cited in the lawsuit seeking Kanu’s release from the unlawful abduction in Kenya.