The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has announced that the group will take its legal battle to the Supreme Court following a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal affirming IPOB’s proscription as a terrorist organization.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had on Thursday upheld the 2017 ruling of the Federal High Court, which banned IPOB and declared it a terrorist group.
Reacting to the judgment, Kanu, through his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, issued a statement on Friday condemning the ruling as unconstitutional and unjust.
“The judgment disregarded the Nigerian Constitution, elevated the denial of fair hearing to an unacceptable level, and was both absurd and perverse. It shall not stand,” the statement read.
Kanu insisted that the ruling would be challenged, arguing that it failed to meet constitutional standards.
Ejimakor stated that the ruling would not impact Kanu’s main case and assured that IPOB would seek justice at the Supreme Court.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal decision will hardly have any prejudicial effects on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s main case, because the decision is not final. We are heading to the Supreme Court, which is – by law – the final arbiter.”
The statement also warned against labeling Kanu or IPOB as terrorists, cautioning that any individual or entity doing so could face legal action.
“For now, it is legally safer and wiser for all and sundry to resist the dangerous temptation of calling Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a terrorist until he is either convicted as one (which is a tall order) or until the Supreme Court finally decides against him (which is highly unlikely).”
Kanu’s legal team argued that the Federal High Court’s proscription order was flawed as it was obtained through an ex parte application, meaning IPOB was not given an opportunity to defend itself before the ruling was made.
The statement further pointed out that:
•The proscription directive was signed by the late Abba Kyari and not by former President Muhammadu Buhari, as required by law.
•The Court of Appeal acknowledged procedural lapses but dismissed the appeal, citing national security concerns over constitutional provisions.
Disagreeing with this stance, Kanu’s lawyers insisted that national security cannot override constitutional rights without following due process.
“The ruling affirming the proscription of IPOB as a terror group will live in infamy and shall be resisted vigorously within the parameters of the law – both municipal and international.”
Kanu’s team also questioned the basis of IPOB’s proscription in 2017, arguing that the judgment unfairly targeted the Igbo people.
“The Constitution prescribes a process to be strictly followed before any provision can be suspended for the sake of national security. This process was not followed in this case.”
With the Supreme Court appeal now in motion, the battle over IPOB’s proscription is set to continue, potentially shaping the future of the secessionist movement and its legal standing in Nigeria.
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