The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has leveled accusations against the Supreme Court, asserting that it is undermining the course of justice in the case of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The group has specifically alleged that the Supreme Court is employing the strategy of adjournment to achieve this.

According to Emma Powerful, the spokesperson of IPOB, the separatist organization finds itself both disappointed and bewildered by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to postpone the hearing of Kanu’s appeal, subsequently canceling the originally scheduled date. Powerful expresses that this action taken by the Supreme Court is perceived as the most severe manifestation of a miscarriage of justice and a blatant disregard for the principles of the rule of law. 

A statement by Powerful reads: “We the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU condemn the continuous adjournment of our Leader’s case by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in their efforts for our Leader to remain in the DSS solitary confinement in Abuja. 

“The afterthought and flimsy reason being that the 14th of September 2023, earlier scheduled for the hearing of the case, has caught up with the Supreme Court’s Annual vacation. To say the least, this is the worst form of travesty of justice and violent destruction of the rule of law. 

“If we may ask, was it not in an open Court that the Justices of the Supreme Court that sat on the Appeal on the 11th day of May 2023, adjourned the matter to the 14th day of September 2023?

“It is also our understanding that the 14th day of September 2023 adjournment was not granted as a matter of course; the adjournment date was carefully considered against the background of the Federal Government’s deliberate ploy to thwart the proceedings of that day by applying for time to file their papers even when they were clearly out of time, and the Appeal was consequently, adjourned to the 14th day of September, 2023, for Definite Hearing. 

Unless the current intent of the Supreme Court is viewed as an assault on democracy and a blatant undermining of justice, how can one explain their decision to adjourn until the 14th day of September, 2023, without reference to their meticulously maintained diary detailing the comprehensive timetable of the Supreme Court’s annual activities and holidays?

“The cancellation of this date on the frivolous ground that the scheduled date is caught up with the Apex Court annual vacation is against the Supreme Court’s own rules governing criminal trials that are subject to accelerated hearing. It is to be observed that the unfolding events go to demonstrate that the Supreme Court of Nigeria is not abiding with their own rules by constantly adjourning the case of our Leader.”

IPOB urged the international communities to prevail on the Supreme Court to hear Kanu’s appeal “so that this case will be promptly determined.”

The group was left pondering how the Nigerian government would provide a rationale for its inability to release Kanu, even though the Court of Appeal had cleared him of all charges.

“If the Federal Government of Nigeria is no longer interested in prosecuting their Appeal, our Leader should be immediately released in line with the Order of the Penultimate Court made on the 13th day of October 2022,” he said.