The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has questioned the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and called for the speedy hearing of his appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The group also raised questions over the legal basis of Kanu’s conviction, arguing that the trial was conducted under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, which it said had been repealed.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB urged the appellate court to list and hear Kanu’s appeal.
The group further claimed that the Federal Government had not filed its response within the period allowed for filing its brief, and called for clarification on the status of the appeal.
IPOB said the relevant legal provisions governing Kanu’s case should be determined by the appellate court.
The statement read in part: “Nigeria is not wrestling with a difficult point of law in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The Federal Government convicted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, which had been repealed.
“Till date, Nigerian government has filed nothing in the Court of Appeal. The time allowed for them to file their response has expired. No brief. No defence. And the Court of Appeal has refused to list the case.”
IPOB also cited the Supreme Court decision in State v. Egigia (2024) LPELR-62009(SC) in support of its argument concerning the application of repealed legislation.
The group argued that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 was the applicable legislation and referred to its savings and transitional provisions.
IPOB therefore called on the Court of Appeal to determine the legal issues raised in Kanu’s appeal and make a decision in accordance with the applicable law.
The group also referred to the Court of Appeal’s October 13, 2022 judgment concerning Kanu and its subsequent proceedings, arguing that the appellate court had previously acted promptly in the matter.
IPOB urged the judiciary to give Kanu’s appeal the necessary attention, stressing the importance of resolving the case through due legal process.
The group said its position was that Kanu should be allowed to exhaust all available legal avenues in challenging his conviction.
IPOB reiterated its call for the appeal to be listed and heard, saying that the matter should be resolved in accordance with the provisions of Nigerian law.
