Tinubu is deliberately refusing to free Nnamdi Kanu — Massob leader Ralph Uwazuruike

Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of deliberately refusing to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The Herald recalls that in its judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim but written by Justice Garba Lawal, the Supreme Court overturned the Appeal Court ruling that discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of all terrorism charges in October 2022.

The Supreme Court held that although the Nigerian government recklessly and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such an unlawful act has not divested any court from proceeding with trial.

Justice Lawal held that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya.

The judge said at the moment, the remedy for such action is for Nnamdi Kanu to file a civil matter against such an act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.

The apex court subsequently ordered Nnamdi Kanu to defend himself in the remaining 7 counts of terrorism charges against him at the Federal High Court.

Reacting to the latest development via a video posted on Emeka Gift Official X handle, Ralph Uwazuruike says, the final decision of the supreme court to continue keeping Nnamdi Kanu in detention is the decision of Tinubu. He cited that Igboho who is also agitating for Oduduwa freedom was freed but because Nnamdi Kanu is an Igbo hence the decision to continue his incarceration.

Uwazuruike accused Tinubu of deliberately refusing to free Nnamdi Kanu. According to Uwazuruike, the final decision of supreme court to continue keeping Nnamdi Kanu in detention is the decision of Tinubu. He cited that Igboho who is also agitating for Oduduwa freedom was freed

The Nigerian government had repatriated Mr Kanu from Kenya after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the IPOB leader’s arrest for jumping bail in 2017.

Mr Kanu was being tried before Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, for terrorism.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on 13 October, 2022, dismissed the terrorism and treasonable felony charges filed against Mr Kanu on the basis of his agitation for the secession of a Biafra Republic, comprising the five South-east states and parts of neighbouring states, from Nigeria.

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, dismissed the terrorism and treasonable felony charges against Mr Kanu.

The court had ordered Mr Kanu’s release from detention after striking out a seven-count charge pending before Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Adefope-Okojie held that Mr Kanu’s forced return from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was a breach of local and international laws.

But, instead of complying with the appellate court’s decision ordering Mr Kanu’s unconditional release, the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

The then AGF, Abubakar Malami, filed an application for a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s verdict on the separatist leader.

But on 28 October 2022, another three-member panel of the Court of Appeal headed by Haruna Tsammani, halted the execution of its judgement which freed Mr Kanu of terrorism charges.

The government had applied that the execution of the judgment be suspended pending the resolution of its appeal filed at the Supreme Court.

Mr Tsammiani, in the ruling, held that the counter-affidavit filed against the government application by Mr Kanu’s legal team led by Mr Ozekhome was misleading.

Mr Kanu has been leading secession campaigns of South-east region parts of South-south Nigeria for an independent state of Biafra.

The federal government has consistently blamed IPOB’s separatist activities for the violence in the Southeastern region of the cost.

Mr Kanu, the IPOB leader, has been in SSS detention since June 2021 when he was repatriated from Kenya to Nigeria.

He was first arrested in 2015 under the administration of former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.