By Daniel Edu
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled Thursday, October 5, 2023, for a crucial hearing regarding two distinct appeals lodged by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), contesting his ongoing detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The two appeals to be heard on Thursday bear the markings SC/CR/1394/2022, NNAMDI KANU V. FED. REP OF NIGERIA, and SC/CR/1391/2023, FED. REP OF NIG VS NNAMDI KANU.
Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the principal legal counsel representing Nnamdi Kanu, officially confirmed the hearing date in a statement released on Saturday.
In his confirmation statement, Ozekhome conveyed, “The Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja has designated the 5th of October, 2023, for the hearing of the following appeals: SC/CR/1394/2022, NNAMDI KANU V. FED.REP OF NIGERIA, and SC/CR/1391/2023, FED. REP OF NIG VS NNAMDI KANU.”
It is worth recalling that Nnamdi Kanu had previously secured favorable rulings in his favor at both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. The appellate court, in October 2022, absolved Kanu of the 15 charges filed against him and subsequently prohibited any further arrests, detentions, or trials based on the existing charges.
Subsequently, the Federal Government appealed the decision at the Supreme Court and succeeded in securing another panel of the Court of Appeal to suspend the appellate court’s ruling.
Despite the verdict, Nnamdi Kanu has continued to be held in solitary confinement at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility, nearly a year after his acquittal.
