In a move set to reignite legal proceedings, the Federal Government of Nigeria is poised to resume the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the self-appointed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on terrorism charges come Monday, February 26.
This decision follows the December 15, 2023, ruling by the Supreme Court granting the continuation of Kanu’s trial on the remaining seven count charges against him.
According to a notice obtained by newsmen , the trial is scheduled to proceed before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Both Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) have been duly notified.
Furthermore, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been contacted to ensure Kanu’s presence in court on the specified date.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 19, 2021, following his arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria by the federal government.
Initially faced with 15-count terrorism charges, Kanu had eight charges dismissed by Justice Binta Nyako during the trial proceedings.
However, in a ruling in April 2022, the judge upheld seven count charges against Kanu, prompting him to open his defense on the alleged offenses.
Although the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the terrorism charges against Kanu in October 2022, ordering his immediate release from DSS custody due to the unlawful rendition from Kenya, the Supreme Court’s judgment on December 15, 2023, overturned this decision.
In a unanimous judgment led by Justice Garba Lawal and read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, the Supreme Court ruled that Kanu’s trial on the seven count charges should proceed. Despite acknowledging the government’s unlawful actions in Kanu’s extradition from Kenya, the court maintained that such actions did not nullify the trial proceedings.
The apex court emphasized that no Nigerian law supported the quashing of charges against Kanu solely based on his unlawful abduction and recommended that Kanu pursue civil action against the government for recourse.
