BREAKING: AT LAST APPEAL COURT FREES NNAMDI KANU

REPORTER: IFEOMA NWOVU

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set free the detained leader of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Mazi Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a 15 count charge bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism offences.

In a unanimous judgment, the 3-Man-Panel of Justices led by Justice Oludotun Adetope -Okojie, held that the 15-count charge preferred against Kanu did not disclose the place, date, time and nature of the alleged offences before being unlawfully extradited to Nigeria, which was in clear violation of international treaties as enshrined in Section (1a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Justice Adetope -Okojie held that the Federal Government failed to disclose where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested despite the grave allegations against him.

The appellate court held further that the warrant of arrest issued by the Federal Government against Mazi Kanu only had effect within the country’s border and did not extend to another country outside Nigeria, based on international treaty and obligation.

It therefore held that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute Kanu on the remaining charges based on lack of territorial jurisdiction.

On the issue that Kanu is a member of a proscribed terrorism organization, the panel held that it would be pre judicial to make an order on the proscription of IPOB since the issue is still on appeal.

The appellate court was of the view that the lower court where Kanu is being prosecuted failed to evaluate the appellant’s submission on forceful rendition from Kenya and failed to make findings on the unlawful rendition, erred in law to have assumed jurisdiction on the charges.

The Court therefore held that “the appeal succeeds and is allowed and that the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court delivered on April 8, 2022, is set aside.”

It quashed the 15-count charge against the appellant at the lower court and discharged appellant of all his charges.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU