The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in an application filed by the Federal Government seeking a stay of execution of the Court’s judgment that ordered the release of the leader of the proscribed indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Haruna Tsanami who presided over the hearing of the application, announced that a date for delivery of judgment would be communicated to the parties when ready.
The court of appeal on October 13 delivered a judgment in favour of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, quashing all 7 count charge preferred against him by the federal government.
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In a judgment of the three-man panel led by justice Jummai Hanatu, the appellate court slammed the Nigerian government for the manner of Nnamdi Kanu’s extradition from Kenya which it said was a clear breach of international law and procedure.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the Appellate Court, the federal government filed an appeal challenging the decision of the court.
When the matter came up on Monday, counsel for the federal government, David Kaswe, told the court that Kanu is a threat to national security and a flight risk and would escape out of the country if the judgment which ordered his release was not stayed, and as such must be kept in detention.
Kaswe In the motion for stay of execution, insisted that the IPOB leader be brought to face the remaining charges as his release would throw the nation’s security into jeopardy.
However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, dismissed the claim of the FG lawyer that Kanu was a flight risk, stating that the IPOB leader never jumped bail in his trial at the Federal High Court.
The senior lawyer informed the court that the Federal Government was in contempt of court by not obeying the October 13 judgment and as such has no moral and legal rights to make the request from the same court.
Contrary to the FG’s claim, Ozekhome insisted that only the release of his client will ensure peace and tranquility both in the South East and the entire country.
Justice Tsanami, who led the three man panel, after taking arguments from parties reserved judgment in the suit.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
