back to top

Appeal Court frees Nnamdi Kanu, strikes out FG’s charge

THE Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has discharged and acquitted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, who is being tried by the Federal Government on charges bordering on terrorism, was freed by a three-member panel of the court on Thursday.

The appellate court set aside the judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court which ordered Kanu to answer seven out of the 15-count terrorism charge filed against him.


READ ALSO: Federal High Court Orders Immediate Release Of Nnamdi Kanu


Justice Binta Nyako had, in a judgment in April, struck out eight of the 15 counts in the charge preferred against the IPOB leader.



The judge, however, held that Kanu had some questions to answer in counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 15 of the charge.

But Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by Mike Ozekhome, filed an appeal to quash the remaining seven counts for lack of merit.




     

     

    In its ruling, the appellate court agreed with Kanu’s counsel that the IPOB leader was illegally abducted and extra-ordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria, against both international and local laws.

    Read Also:

    “By the illegal abduction and extra-ordinary rendition of the appellant, there was a clear violation of the respondent (Federal Government) to international treaties, conventions, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights”, the court held.

    The panel led by Justice Jummai Hanatu also held that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to handle the charges against Kanu, as he was not properly arraigned before the court.

    The Court of Appeal further held that the offences Kanu was alleged to have committed happened in Kenya and not in Nigeria.

    You can reach out to me on Twitter via: vincent_ufuoma

    Join the ICIR WhatsApp channel for in-depth reports on the economy, politics and governance, and investigative reports.

    Support the ICIR

    We invite you to support us to continue the work we do.

    Your support will strengthen journalism in Nigeria and help sustain our democracy.

    If you or someone you know has a lead, tip or personal experience about this report, our WhatsApp line is open and confidential for a conversation

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here


    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support the ICIR

    We need your support to produce excellent journalism at all times.

    -Advertisement-

    Recent

    - Advertisement