The Supreme Court judgement of Friday, December 15 2023, refusing an application by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for his release, is a verdict that is well-researched, well-articulated, and solidly rooted in both law and logic.
This was the collective submission of the Coalition for Peace in Nigeria (COPIN), and The Iconoclast Media Platform, in reaction to the decision of the apex court ordering Kanu to face charges of terrorism preferred against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
While commending the apex court for refusing to be swayed by orchestrated sentiments, the coalition said the decision of the highest court in the land voiding and setting aside the October 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal ordering the release of Kanu is right and proper.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator of COPIN, Pharm Emeka Akwuobi, and National Secretary of Iconoclast, Dr. Mayago Mayago, the coalition said quashing terrorism charges the separatist leader – as earlier done by the appellate court – was not in the best interest of justice.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, but written by Justice Garba Lawal, the Supreme Court had held, among others, that no law was cited in the motion seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya.
According to the Court, the remedy for such action is for the detained agitator to file a Civil matter against such act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
In the statement dated Sunday, December 17, the group said: “As a patriotic, and non-profit coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), we commend the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria declining to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from lawful custody.
“We equally thank the apex court for not pandering to sentiments, that are being orchestrated by sympathisers of IPOB and its leader.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy all over the world to appreciate the verdict that we consider to be well-researched, well-articulated, and solidly rooted in both law and logic.
“It is our considered view that the Court of Appeal may not have served the cause of justice, when it quashed the charges of terrorism against the separatist agitator.
“By last Friday’s decision, the detainee now has a golden opportunity to defend himself before the trial court, to prove his innocence, or otherwise.
“For us at COPIN, and ICONOCLAST, we maintain that Nigeria is bigger than an individual, or group. We, therefore, urge institutions of government to refuse to be cowed by interests that are at variance with the rule of law, and common good.
“In the same vein, we implore political,and religious leaders, as well as traditional rulers to rise above sectional interest and parochial sentiments, and put Nigeria first in whatever they do, or say.
“As citizens, leaders, politicians, civil society groups, and other critical stakeholders, the minimum that is expected of us is to support the military, intelligence, security and other law enforcement agencies, to deliver on their collective mandate of sustaining the corporate existence of Nigeria.