The Court of Appeal in Abuja reserved judgment in the application by the Federal Government seeking to stay execution of the judgment that freed the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The three-member panel of justices led by Justice Haruna Tsammani reserved judgment on Monday after listening to arguments from counsel.
Justice Tsammani announced that a date for judgment would be communicated to all parties.
Arguing on behalf of the Federal Government, Mr David Kaswe told the court that the major ground of their application was on national security of the country.
He said the application for a stay of execution was to allow for national security pending the hearing and determination of their appeal at the Supreme Court.
“If Kanu is released, he may not be available to face his charges in court because he had already jumped bail before.
“Releasing him will increase the state of insecurity in the South East.”
Kaswe urged the appellate court to grant the Federal Government’s application and not release Kanu.
Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), counsel to Kanu, on his part, opposed the application for stay of execution on the grounds that it was a ploy to over-rule the judgment of the appellate court.
“My lords should not allow them because it will cause chaos and anarchy.
“The release of Kanu will bring peace to the South East ,so there is no need to stay execution where there is no valid appeal,” Ozekhome said.
On the issue that Kanu had earlier jumped bail, Ozekhome argued that Kanu did not jump bail but escaped for his life when his house was invaded by the Federal Government.
Ozekhome also predicated his objection on the grounds that Kanu had a terminal illness and needed comprehensive medical attention outside of the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.
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