Society Gists

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says it is an insult to beg the federal government for his release from detention.

Kanu said a court of appeal verdict delivered on October 13, 2022, cleared him of all charges filed by the federal government.

In a statement released by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s counsel, the IPOB leader asked his lawyers to educate his followers on the judgment of the court appeal.

“There is no charge pending against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before any court as of today,” the statement reads.

“Furthermore, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unequivocally stated that begging the federal government to release him at this point is an insult to the memory of late Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, who despite his age and ill-health, repeatedly travelled from the south-east to Abuja to beg the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour his dying wish.

“The request was treated with greatest disdain by the federal government, and was also not honoured.

“Thus, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of the firm view that he does not need to beg the FGN to release him.

“The Court of Appeal has already made a pronouncement in that regard and that pronouncement has remained sacrosanct till date.”

On April 8, 2022, Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge in Abuja, struck out eight of the 15 counts in the charge filed against Kanu by the federal government. 

The remaining seven counts were later quashed by the court of appeal on October 13, 2022.

On October 28, 2022, the court of appeal granted a stay of execution on its verdict which discharged Kanu of terrorism charges. 

Kanu and his lawyers approached the supreme court to appeal the verdict of the court of appeal.

In May, the supreme court adjourned hearing of the suit to September 14.