The Supreme Court has ordered that the self acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must continue his trial at the Federal High Court.
Delivering judgment on an appeal by the Federal Government, Justice Emma Agim, who read the judgment as prepared by Justice Garba Lawal, held that the Court of Appeal was wrong that Kanu could not be tried again based on the illegality perpetrated against him by the Federal Government, following the invasion of his home.
Therefore, the Apex Court upheld the appeal of the Federal Government and dismissed the cross appeal filed by Kanu.
Nnamdi Kanu had been in the custody of the Federal Government since June 29, 2021, following his forceful rendition from Kenya.
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, had on April 8, 2022, quashed 8 out of the 15 count charges preferred against Kanu by the Federal Government.
However, Justice Nyako held that Kanu had questions to answer on the remaining 7 counts.
Dissatisfied with the judgement, Kanu’s team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, headed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja to seek the dismissal of the remaining 7-count charge.
In a judgement on October 13, 2022, the appellate court dismissed all the 7 count criminal charges against Kanu.
The Court of Appeal, while upholding all the arguments and submissions of Prof Ozekhome, quashed the entire 15 count criminal charges.
