Tension has gripped the Southeast region over today’s Supreme Court ruling on terrorism charges against the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 when the Federal Government re-arrested and returned him from Kenya. The Court of Appeal, in October last year, affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared illegal and unlawful his abduction from Kenya and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the government.

The appellant court, in the verdict by Justice Oludotun Adebola, had held that the government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the charges against him incompetent and unlawful.

It maintained that the failure of the government to disclose where and when the alleged offences were committed was also fatal to the terrorism charges and made them liable to dismissal.

However, following an appeal by the government at the Supreme Court, another panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Haruna Tsanami, ordered Kanu’s release to be put on hold.

Government is insisting that the agitator be made to stand trial on the charges. The apex court had, during its sitting of October 5 this year, reserved judgment in the matter till today.

Since the beginning of the week, most popular places have been witnessing unusual gatherings, with discussions bordering on today’s judgment. In Enugu, Obiagu/Edinburgh roundabout, Liberty in Abakpa; St Patrick in Coal Camp; St Patrick’s School in Emene, Gariki, Ugboezeji in Transekulu and Agric bank bus stop in Independence Layout have turned into a gathering of a sort, with tricycle riders discussing the development.

However, IPOB, yesterday, accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of blackmailing its members ahead of the judgment.

It made the claim while dismissing reports that the force raided Eastern Security Network (ESN) camps in Imo and Anambra states.The spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement, said contrary to reports, ESN had no camps in the areas.

Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed for Kanu’s release. Its President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, said doing that would be seen as a Christmas (gift) by the ethnic group. (Text, excluding headline: The Guardian)

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