By Adadainfo
The legal team of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has approached the Supreme Court over the failure of the federal government of Nigeria to release the IPOB leader as ruled by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on 13th October 2022.
Recall that the federal government had refused to comply with the ruling, arguing that Kanu was not acquitted. FG further approached the same Appeal Court for stay of execution, which was granted on 28th Oct. 2022 by a three-man panel of justices.
The justices asked both parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the appeal filed before the Supreme Court by the federal government.
Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel to IPOB, announced the appeal via his Facebook page.
According to him, “After a thorough review of the said ruling by our defence team eminently led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, an informed decision was taken that the said ruling which has no foundation in law or facts be immediately appealed against, for it to be set aside by the Apex Court.
“Our well informed position was given a final nod by our client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, during my last visit to him.
“We are therefore by this medium, informing the general public, and UMUCHINEKE in particular, that we have filed an appeal against the said ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on the 28th day of October, 2022, and will proactively follow up on the administrative process to ensure that both appeals are given accelerated hearing in line with the extant Fast Track Rules of the Supreme Court.
“We shall keep everyone abreast of the development in the appeals as we progress.
“We respectfully urge you all to still remain peaceful and law abiding, as always, and be rest assured that the ruling of the Court of Appeal, now appealed against, will be reviewed on the merit by learned justices of the Supreme Court.
“Let us reiterate for the avoidance of any doubt that the said ruling did not interfere in any way with the status of the judgment of the Court of Appeal discharging Onyendu.
The judgment of the Court of Appeal discharging Onyendu and striking out the seven count charge still subsists. It has not been set aside.”
