The National Judicial Council (NJC) has firmly dismissed recent reports alleging that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, ordered the immediate release and repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Kenya. In a statement released on Thursday, the NJC described these claims as false and a fabrication, emphasizing that the CJN has never been involved in Kanu’s case at any level.
The NJC clarified that there are no court proceedings, decisions, or judgments that support the assertions made in the media regarding CJN Kekere-Ekun’s involvement. “The Council wishes to state that the media report is false and a figment of the imagination of the writer,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the NJC highlighted that the Chief Justice never presided over any case involving Kanu at the Supreme Court, nor did she issue any directives regarding his release. The NJC reiterated that there was never a formal communication from the CJN to the Kenyan government or its High Commission concerning Kanu’s arrest or trial, dismissing any such narratives as unfounded.
The Council urged the public to disregard the misleading report, emphasizing the importance of accurate information in the media landscape. The statement, signed by NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, called for responsible journalism that does not misrepresent judicial proceedings or statements.
In a related development, Nnamdi Kanu is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, where he is expected to take a fresh plea in his ongoing trial for treasonable felony. This case has recently been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho after the previous trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, recused herself due to allegations of bias raised by Kanu and his legal team.
Kanu’s legal journey has been tumultuous since his initial arrest in Lagos on October 14, 2015, following his return from the United Kingdom. He was granted bail on health grounds in April 2017 after spending 18 months in detention but later fled the country following a military raid on his residence in Umuahia, Abia State. His re-arrest in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and subsequent rendition to Nigeria on June 27, 2021, has led to ongoing legal battles.
The Federal Government has faced significant scrutiny regarding Kanu’s detention and the charges against him. In April 2022, a trial court struck out eight of the 15 charges filed against him, citing lack of substance. However, the Court of Appeal’s order for his release was challenged by the Federal Government at the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled that Kanu should stand trial on the remaining seven charges.
