Reactions from the Igbo South East of Nigeria are negative over the Supreme Court’s ruling against the expectations of the Igbo to get the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released from the DSS facility. People were seen wearing long faces on the streets of Nnewi, Onitsha, Awka in Anambra State, discussing and analyzing the Supreme Court verdict that was contrary to the expectations of the members of the IPOB and many Igbo. Reports from other parts of the South East like Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi are not different.
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to order the release of the detained leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
Daily Sun reports that the Apex Court in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim but written by Justice Garba Lawal voided and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which in October last year ordered the release of Kanu and also quashed the terrorism charges against him.
Supreme Court held that although the Nigerian Government was reckless and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such unlawful act has not divested any Court from proceeding with trial.
Justice Lawal said that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya, adding that at the moment, the remedy for such action was for Kanu to file a civil matter against such act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
The Apex Court subsequently ordered that Kanu should go and defend himself in the remaining seven count terrorism charges against him.
