Terrorism: Ohanaeze, IPOB, Others Kick Against S’Court Decision
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra; the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and a former Senate Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, have described as unfortunate the non-release of the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This was as the Supreme Court on Friday set aside a judgment by the lower court that dismissed the terrorism charges against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The apex court held that the court of appeal was wrong and that the trial court couldn’t try him because the prosecution violated his rights.
In the judgment prepared by Justice Garba Mohammed, the court condemned the invasion of Kanu’s residence, declaring it irresponsible.
The court held that there is no law in the country stopping a trial based on the violation of the rights of a suspect.
Mohammed said, “If the police should destroy the house of a suspect to obtain exhibits, should that prevent the court from entertaining the offense?
“His remedy should be the way of civil proceeding. Proceedings can’t be stopped on account of the violation of the rights of the suspects; that is not our law for now.
“We decided not to go with the court of appeal. Though we condemned the violation of his rights, Nigeria must redeem its image and adhere to the rule of law. If a person has been granted bail, why did you invade his house? That is irresponsible. You shouldn’t blame him for running.
“No legislation in the country stripped the trial court of the jurisdiction to go ahead with Kanu’s case, despite the illegal action of the FG.
“The law must take its course. The Court of Appeal was wrong that the trial court couldn’t try him. The appeal is allowed, and the cross-appeal is dismissed.”
Reacting, IPOB, through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a terse statement on Friday, described Kanu’s continuous detention as ‘unconstitutional’, saying that self-determination is legal as supported by the United Nations laws and by the Africa Union Charter.
Powerful, also commended the Anambra and Enugu state governors, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and Dr Peter Mba, respectively, on their call for the unconditional release of the pro-Biafran leader.