The Attorney General of the Federation has explained the ruling of the Appeal Court, Abuja after a three-man panel set the leader of the Indeginous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnnamdi Kanu, free on Thursday.
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal Court sitting in Abuja discharged Nnamdi Kanu ruling that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to try him in view of his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.
The Federal Government is prosecuting Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.
The Appeal court ruled 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 in clear violation of international treaties.
According to Appeal court, the Federal Government failed to disclose where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested despite the grave allegations against him.
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, one of Kanu’s lawyers confirmed the the Appeal court ruling that the “extraordinary rendition” of Kanu from Kenya is declared illegal and consequently constitutes a bar to further trial.
“Appeal allowed , Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU, discharged and acquitted. We have won”, he stated.
However, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice stated that the verdict of the Court only discharged and not acquitted the IPOB leader.
Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, in a statement, said the federal government will study the judgement and make appropriate statement to the public.
“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 issue 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.” The statement reads.
