NJC denies claims of CJN ordering Nnamdi Kanu’s release

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has firmly refuted reports claiming that Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, directed the immediate release and repatriation of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention in Nigeria to Kenya.

In a statement released on Thursday, the NJC dismissed the reports as fabricated and devoid of truth.

“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 was made,” the statement read.

The council clarified that the CJN has no direct involvement in Kanu’s ongoing legal proceedings. “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 makes any such pronouncement,” the statement continued.

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Furthermore, the NJC addressed claims of a formal apology to the Kenyan government. “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 statement affirmed.

The NJC urged the public to disregard the misinformation. “The Council urges members of the public to disregard the fake story,” said Kemi Ogedengbe, the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, who signed the statement.

This denial comes as Nnamdi Kanu, facing a seven-count treasonable felony charge brought by the federal government, is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday. He is expected to enter a fresh plea before Justice James Omotosho, who was assigned the case after Justice Binta Nyako recused herself due to allegations of bias from Kanu.

Earlier, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, had praised the CJN for what he believed was a prompt intervention that led to the reassignment of his client’s case. Ejimakor stated that this occurred despite an initial reluctance from the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

Nnamdi Kanu’s legal journey has been marked by several significant events. He was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return from the United Kingdom. On April 25, 2017, Justice Nyako granted him bail on health grounds, and he was released from Kuje prison on April 28, 2017.

However, Kanu fled the country after a military operation at his residence in Umuahia, Abia State. He was subsequently rearrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and extradited to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. Since then, he has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Federal High Court had previously struck out eight of the initial 15 charges against Kanu, ruling that they lacked substance. The Court of Appeal in Abuja also ordered his release and quashed the remaining charges, but the Federal Government appealed this decision to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, overturned the appellate court’s ruling and authorized the Federal Government to proceed with the trial on the remaining seven charges.

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