Nnamdi Kanu not yet free, FG insists

Too early to celebrate….Nnamdi Kanu (m) with his lawyers

The Federal Government has reacted to the Court of Appeal’s discharge of embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, saying he was only discharged and not acquitted. 

According to the FG, the decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition, noting that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail, remain valid issues for judicial determination.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges bordering, including treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.

In a press statement signed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, government noted that following the court verdict, appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public. 

A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal had earlier, today (October 13, 2022), said the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Nnamdi Kanu in view of his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.

The court held that the 15-count charge preferred against him 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.

Bellow is text of the statement by the Federal Government on the matter:

Nnamdi Kanu is Only Discharged not Acquited- Justice Minister, Malami

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.

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.

*Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu*
(Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice).
13th October, 2022








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