The Nigerian Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing in the Indigenous People of Biafra’s appeal for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to September 14.

The IPOB- had on November 3, 2022, filed a challenge at the Supreme Court to contest the Appellate Court’s decision to stop the release of the leader of the proscribed group, who has been in detention since he was brought back from Kenya on June 19, 2021.

The lead counsel for IPOB and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had in a statement said, “We have appealed to the Supreme Court, to set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, staying the execution of the court’s judgment discharging him, and placing a further bar to any further detention and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu on any charge/indictment before any court in Nigeria.

“Recall that on October 28, 2022, a three-person panel of Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal (Abuja Judicial Division), granted an application for the stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, pending the determination of the appeal filed before the Supreme Court by the Federal Government.

“After a thorough review of the said ruling by our defence team, eminently led by foremost leading Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), an informed decision was taken by the erudite Senior Advocate, and the entire team, that the said ruling, which has no foundation in law or facts, placed before the court, should be immediately appealed against, for it to be set aside by the Apex Court.

“Our well-informed position was given a final nod by our indefatigable client, Nnamdi Kanu, during my last visit to him.

“We therefore, by this medium, inform the general public, and Umuchineke in particular, that we have filed an appeal against the said ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on October 28, 2022, and will proactively follow up on the administrative process to ensure that both appeals are given accelerated hearings in line with the extant fast-track rules of the Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, Mike Ozekhome, a senior counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, expressed concerns to the supreme court that he is afraid that his client might die in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Ozekhome told the apex court that the IPOB leader is very sick and requires a surgical operation.

The lawyer asked the court to rule in favour of the transfer of Kanu from DSS custody to Kuje correctional centre so that he can begin treatment.

“My Lords, Nnamdi Kanu is sick, he has been approved for surgery but they have refused to release him for treatment,” BBC News Pidgin quoted Ozekhome as saying.

“We are pleading for him to be transferred from DSS custody to Kuje correctional centre so that he can begin treatment like others.

“He’s getting really sick, I’m scared he may die in the custody of DSS. Dead bodies are not prosecuted.” He said.

The apex court in its reaction to Ozekhome said God will keep the IPOB leader alive and that he will not die in detention.

“Nnamdi Kanu will not die in detention. God will keep him alive and his blood won’t be in your hands,” the court said.

The apex court stressed that the court will hear all the motions in the case on the resumption of hearing on September 14.

INN