Nnamdi Kanu’s Freedom: Appeal Court reserves judgment in FG’s stay of execution application

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has reserved judgment in the application by the Federal Government seeking to stay the execution of the judgment that set free the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The three-member panel of justices led by Justice Haruna Tsalmani reserved judgment on Monday after listening to arguments from counsel.

NewsWireNGR reports that the Appeal Court had on October 13 discharged the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Reacting to the judgement, FG, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, contended that Kanu was merely discharged by the appellate court and not acquitted.

Malami, SAN, while insisting that issues that predated Kanu’s rendition from Kenya, are yet to be determined by the court, said the government would exploit the appropriate legal options and also communicate same to the public.

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.

A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal said the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try him 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 Kanu 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.

The court further held that the Federal Government failed to disclose where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested despite the grave allegations against him