Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the legal representative for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), clarified that the group’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wasn’t disheartened by the Supreme Court’s ruling on December 15. The court overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision from October 13, 2022, which had acquitted Kanu in the treasonable felony case filed against him by the Federal Government.
A five-member panel, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, determined that the Court of Appeal erred in its decision to clear Kanu of charges. The Court of Appeal’s basis for acquittal was the government’s unlawful actions in returning the IPOB leader from Kenya to face trial after breaching bail conditions.
In the leading judgment penned by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba but presented by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court acknowledged Kanu’s unlawful extradition from Kenya but deemed his trial itself as legal. The court upheld that evidence obtained in violation of an accused person’s privacy rights or through an illegal search remains admissible before the court under Nigerian law.
Ejiofor reiterated that despite the ruling, Kanu maintains his faith in the rule of law and trusts that justice will ultimately prevail. Addressing reporters at the Obi Ezumeru Palace, where he and 27 other dignitaries were honored with chieftaincy titles, Ejiofor emphasized that Kanu respects the finality of the court’s decision, not because the court is flawless but out of a sense of reverence for its ultimate authority.
He said: “My client was not traumatised nor shaken by the judgment. We still believe in the rule of law and that justice will eventually be served. We’re not shaken.
“We’ll be applying for his bail to be reinstated, in line with the Supreme Court pronouncement.
“Trial is a very long process. The establishment of such a case takes a very rigorous process. But we’re ready for them.
“Meanwhile, he’s undergoing a very serious medical treatment, which is a reason he will apply to be granted bail.
“He needs to be taken care of because it’s only the living that can stand trial. If he is not properly taken care of, he could die and that will be the end of the case.
“What we’ll ask the court for is to grant him bail, especially when the Supreme Court has condemned the revocation of his bail.
“One obvious thing is that the matter has taken a political dimension and if you critically assess the ruling, you’ll appreciate it was political judgment.
“I’m still at a loss how they arrived at that conclusion even after the Supreme Court practically resolved all matters we raised in our appellate brief in our favour.
“But we’re not worried. We understand the interest. Justice can only be delayed, but not denied.”
