An Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has discharged the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Kanu in view of his abduction and extraordinary extradition to Nigeria, in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.
The court held that the 15-count charge preferred against Kanu did not disclose the place, date, time and nature of the alleged offences, before he was unlawfully extradited to Nigeria in clear violation of international treaties.
It added that the manner in which Kanu was procured and brought before the court was not evaluated by the lower court.
According to the Appeal Court, the lower court failed to take into cognizance the fact that a warrant of arrest can only be executed anywhere within Nigeria.
The court further held that the trial judge breached the right to fair hearing of Nnamdi Kanu
The African Charter on Human and People’s rights is part of Nigerian law and courts must abide by the laws without pandering to the Executive, the Appellate court said.
Kanu was first arraigned on December 23, 2015, and was later granted bail on April 25, 2017.
He jumped bail and was re-arrested in 2021.
He was slapped with charges bordering on terrorism, incitement, insurrection, treason, and secession.