Supreme Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Backs Trial Despite Illegality

ABUJA, (iexclusivenews) -The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will remain in custody and face trial on charges of terrorism and treason, as the Supreme Court of Nigeria has overturned an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal that ordered his release.

Supreme Court Condemns Government’s Illegality But Affirms Trial

In a verdict delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the highest court in the country acknowledged that the government had committed several unlawful acts against Kanu, such as invading his residence, forcing him to flee the country, and extraditing him from Kenya without due process.

However, the court stated that these actions did not invalidate the trial, as the law of Nigeria had not reached a stage where a trial would be halted because of the prosecution’s illegality.

The court added that this was a matter for the legislature to address.

The court advised Kanu to file a civil suit to seek compensation for the violation of his fundamental rights.

Nnamdi Kanu Faces Seven Counts Of Terrorism And Treason At Federal High Court

The Supreme Court’s ruling means that Nnamdi Kanu will continue to face trial at the Federal High Court on the remaining seven counts of terrorism and treason, which he has denied.

Nnamdi Kanye was first arrested in 2015 for leading a secessionist movement in the South-east region of Nigeria, using Radio Biafra as a platform to broadcast his views and allegedly incite violence.

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Court Of Appeal Had Ordered Kanu’s Release, Citing Extradition Breach

On 13 October 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had ruled in favour of Kanu and ordered his release, after striking out the terrorism and treasonable felony charge filed by the Nigerian government.

The appellate court, led by Jummai Sankey, had held that the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

The court had also found that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021 to Nigeria without following the extradition rules was a gross violation of Nigeria’s extradition treaty and a breach of the IPOB leader’s fundamental human rights.

However, the government had appealed the decision at the Supreme Court and obtained an order to keep Kanu in detention pending the outcome of its appeal.

The Supreme Court has now dismissed the appeal court’s decision and upheld the trial.