The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has discharged the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu
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.
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, one of Kanu’s lawyers confirmed the development on Thursday evening.
The court ruled that the “extraordinary rendition” of Kanu from Kenya is declared illegal and consequently constitutes a bar to further trial.