The National Judicial Council (NJC) has faulted media reports claiming that the detained self acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been ordered released and returned to Kenya by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement on Thursday, NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), Mrs. Kemi Ogedengbe said there was no basis for such development because the CJN is currently not involved in Kanu’s trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The statement reads: “The attention of the National Judicial Council (NJC) has been drawn to media reports that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Council, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has ordered the release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu and repatriate him to Kenya.
“The council wishes to state that the media report is false and figment of imagination of the writer, as there are no court proceedings, decision or judgment where such statements ascribed to His Lordship (the CJN) was made.
“The council categorically emphasizes that the Hon CJN neither preside over any case of Kanu at the apex court, where jurisdiction issue was argued, nor make any such pronouncement.
“His Lordship, the Hon CJN never wrote any formal letter to the Kenya Government or Kenya High Commission apologising on the issue of arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and trial.
“The council urges members of the public to disregard the fake story.”
Ealier last week, Justice James Omotosho, to whom Kanu’s treason trial has been assigned, scheduled March 21 for the case to begin afresh before his court.
It was leant that hearing notices have been issued and dispatched to parties.
It was gathered that the casefile and other necessary documents have since been transferred to Justice Omotosho’s court, paving the way for the issuance of the hearing notices.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kanu is expected to be re-arraigned on the remaining seven counts in the treason charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The Supreme Court, in a judgment on December 15, 2023 ordered Kanu to submit himself for trial before the Federal High Court, on the remaining seven counts.
The apex court, in the judgment reversed the decision of the Court of Appeal discharging and acquitting Kanu on the case.
The apex court held that although he was illegally brought back to Nigeria from Kenya when he jumped bail, that development could not have divested the trial court of the jurisdiction to continue his trial.
Since the Supreme Court’s judgment, no progress was made in the case before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court as Kanu’s legal team kept asking for adequate time and facilities to prepare for his defence.
On September 24, 2024 Justice Nyako withdrew from the case after Kanu stood up in court and demanded that she refuse herself from further handling his trial.
Although the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho rejected Justice Nyako’s withdrawal and ordered her to proceed with the case, Justice Tsoho later changed his mind, and later re-assigned the case to Justice Omotosho.
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