Appeal court discharges, acquits Nnamdi Kanu on terrorism charges

The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal has discharge and acquitted the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biarfra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on the 15 counts amended charges slammed against him by the Federal Government.

The Appellate Court held that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria thereby making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.

In the judgment, the appellate court held that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to proceed with the charge by the fact that Kanu was forcefully abducted in Kenya and extraordinary rendered to Nigeria, according to The Sun.

According to the judgment, he cannot be tried when he was unlawfully abducted and forcefully brought into Nigeria in violation of all known treaties.

The Appeal Court further held that the failure of the Federal Government to disclose where and when the alleged offences were committed was also fatal to the terrorism charges and made them liable to dismissal.

In the judgment given by Justice Oludotun Adebola, it voided and set aside the charges by the Federal Government against Kanu.

“The forceful abduction from Kenya and rendention to Nigeria by the Federal Government is a clear violation of International Convention, Protocols and guidlines.

“The warrant of arrest issued against Kanu by the Federal High Court can only be executed in any part of Nigeria and not outside the shores of the country.”

Kanu had in his appeal dated April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022 applied to be discharged and acquitted. Kanu was first arraigned on December 23, 2015, and was later granted bail on April 25, 2017.

Reacting to the judgment, Kanu’s lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on his Facebook page on Thursday, said Kanu won at last.

“Appeal allowed, Oyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU, discharged and acquitted. We have won!,” he wrote.