Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Continues, Not Free Yet, Only One Case Among Others Determined – FG

By Gideon Njoku

The celebration started even before the three-man Panel Honourable Justices of the Appeal Court ended the delivery of their judgement. It was sparked off by a post sent out by one of the Counsels to the embattled leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

The Appealate Court had fixed Thursday, October 13, to deliver its judgment on the appeal brought against the Federal Government by Kanu.

A lower Court, Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had struck out eight of the 15-count charge brought against Kanu, leaving seven for Kanu to defend himself. The charges against Kanu included allegations bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.

Kanu went on appeal against the remaining seven charges. He also urged the Appeal Court to declare his abduction by the Federal Government from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021, illegal.

But just before the three-man Panel finished delivering  its judgment, Ejiofor sent out a victory post. He declared that Kanu had secured victory. That sparked off celebrations by IPOB members across the South-east, Abuja and beyond. They were, understandably  jubilant.

Kanu’s lead Counsel, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, added a tinge of drama to his own celebration. He knelt down as he exited the Court, and praised and thanked God for giving Kanu victory.

That was after Ejiofor posted that Kanu has been discharged and acquitted of all charges. In fact, the words of the unanimous ruling by the three appealate Judges sounded like it.

They lashed out at the Federal Government over Kanu’s rendition from Nairobi, Kenya, to Nigeria. They described it as illegal, and submitted that it broke all protocols and international laws which guided and guarded such situations. And they said that Kanu’s prosecution should be discontinued.

Just when not a few people heaved a sigh of relief, especially, in the South-east, and danced that the sit-at-home order which is still being enforced in some areas, even though IPOB has distanced itself from it, would finally stop, things started turning awry.

Enters, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

He poured cold water on the celebrations,  and left many people wondering if they interpreted the judgment upside down.

In  a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu, Malami said Kanu was not acquitted.

He said the ruling was in respect of only one case – the rendition from Kenya. He said the prosecution of Kanu on other allegations would go on. Even the rendition, Malami said the FG would pursue till the end.

Here’s the full text of the statement.

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 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.”

For Kanu, it seems the road to freedom is still far. And not a few people are wondering why.

He is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, on the orders of the Federal High Court, Abuja which Judge is the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako.