The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been ordered to remain in detention.
The ruling was delivered by the Supreme Court on Friday.
The apex court set aside a judgment by the lower court that dismissed the terrorism charges against Kanu.
Recall that the apex court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, but written by Justice Garba Lawal, voided and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which in October last year ordered Kanu’s release and quashed the terrorism charges against him.
The apex court held that the court of appeal was wrong that the trial court couldn’t try him because his rights were violated by the prosecution.
Justice Lawal said that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya, adding that at the moment, the remedy for such action is for Kanu to file a civil matter against such act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
The apex court subsequently ordered that Kanu should go and defend himself in the remaining 7 counts of terrorism charges against him.
Earlier, armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), took over security arrangement of the Supreme Court ahead of judgment.
DSS operatives blocked the road leading to the court and the Villa gate, turning back litigants and sympathisers of the self acclaimed IPOB leader.
Journalists accredited by the Supreme Court with official tags were also turned back from accessing the court premises.
It took intervention of highly placed officials of the Court before the operatives grudgingly allowed newsmen.
The main entrance into the courtroom was blocked with an unmarked security vehicle where journalists were thoroughly frisked before being allowed entry.
A five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, okayed the matter for judgement, after counsel for both parties adopted their final briefs of argument.