Nigerian court to rule on separatist leader's release

Nigeria's Supreme Court is set to hand down a much-awaited ruling on the release of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr Kanu is the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), a group campaigning for the creation of an independent state in south-eastern Nigeria.

He is seeking his release from custody, saying the government has no basis to continue holding him. The government has also submitted an appeal to extend his detention.

Mr Kanu was originally arrested in 2015 but fled Nigeria in 2017 while out on bail.

He has been in custody since 2021, when he was repatriated from Kenya to face terrorism charges.

In October last year, an appeal court ordered Mr Kanu's release, citing legal irregularities in his extradition.

The government fought the release, arguing that the separatist leader posed a flight risk and security threat.

Some leaders from south-eastern Nigeria have demanded his release.