Nnamdi Kanu Not Acquitted, Malami Explained
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Thursday, October 13, 2022, reacted to the decision of the Appeal Court to discharge leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement signed by spokesperson, Umar Jibril Gwandu, Malami said the appeal court only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said.
“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.
“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.
“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issues that borders on rendition.
“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.
“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”
News broke out late yesterday, the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, has upheld the appeal of the embattled secessionist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to news reports, the court had discharged and acquitted the separatist leader in a three-man panel ruling on Thursday, October 13, 2022.
The Federal Government was prosecuting Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges, including treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed during his agitations for Biafra.
However, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Kanu considering his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, which contravened the Organisation of African Union (OAU) convention and protocol on extradition.
The court ruled that the 15-count charge slammed against the IPOB leader failed to disclose place, date, time and nature of the alleged offences before he was unlawfully extradited to Nigeria.