IPOB
Federal Government to Resume Nnamdi Kanu’s Terrorism Trial
Federal Government to Resume Nnamdi Kanu’s Terrorism Trial
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to resume the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the self-appointed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on terrorism charges starting Monday, February 26. This decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on December 15, 2023, which paved the way for the continuation of Kanu’s trial on the remaining seven counts of charges against him.
A notice indicating the resumption of the trial has been issued, with proceedings scheduled to take place before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) have been duly informed of this development.
It is noteworthy that Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and subsequent extradition to Nigeria by the federal government. Initially facing 15-count terrorism charges, the trial saw eight charges dismissed by Justice Binta Nyako, leaving seven counts for Kanu to answer.
In a significant turn of events, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the terrorism charges against Kanu in October 2022, ordering his immediate release from DSS custody. However, this decision was stayed following an appeal by the federal government at the Supreme Court, leading to the recent judgment on December 15, 2023, which directed the continuation of Kanu’s trial on the remaining charges.
The illegal extradition of Kanu from Kenya did not render the trial against him null and void, the Supreme Court stressed in a unanimous ruling read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim but delivered by Justice Garba Lawal. The court underscored that despite the irregularities in Kanu’s extradition, Nigerian law does not support the dismissal of charges solely on the basis of his unlawful abduction.
The apex court’s ruling reaffirmed the authority of the judiciary to proceed with Kanu’s trial, emphasizing that any grievances regarding the manner of his arrest should be addressed through civil proceedings against the government. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the legal saga surrounding Nnamdi Kanu and underscores the complexities at the intersection of law, justice, and national security.
As the trial is set to resume, all eyes are on the Federal High Court in Abuja as the legal battle between the government and Nnamdi Kanu unfolds. The outcome of this trial is poised to have far-reaching implications for the future of the IPOB leader and the broader socio-political landscape of Nigeria.
