Jubilation in South-East over Nnamdi Kanu’s acquittal, FG may appeal judgment

There was wild jubilation in the South-East on Thursday following the Court of Appeal judgment which quashed the terrorism charges preferred against the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

 

Across parts of the South-East states, people celebrated openly on hearing the reports that the court had discharged Kanu who has been in custody since June 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought to Nigeria to face prosecution for leading an outlawed organisation and clamouring for the Republic of Biafra.However, there are strong indications that the Federal Government may appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

 

A senior official in the Ministry of Justice confided in our correspondent that the government would study the ruling and take a decision on it.

 

“All options are on the table; we will study the order but we will likely appeal it. The court only discharged him, it did not acquit him,’’ the director stated.

 

Reacting, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, in a statement said, “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.”

 

Our correspondent in Owerri observed celebrations and parties at Imo state University Junction area, Ikenegbu, Amakohia, Orji, Okigwe Road and flyover junction.

 

At the flyover junction, a commercial driver was seen shouting and honking that Nnamdi Kanu has been freed at last. He said, “Victory at last. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been freed. It is victory for Biafra.”

 

At IMSU junction, groups of youths were seen at different locations shouting and singing following the development.

 

The situation was also the same in Enugu as there was spontaneous celebrations when news filtered in that the court had ordered Kanu’s release.

 

Many youths took to the major streets as they discussed the development in groups.

 

They were hopeful that Kanu’s release would end the Monday sit-at-home restriction enforced by IPOB members in the South-East.

 

In Anambra State, drinking spots and fun centres made brisk business as residents trooped to relaxation spots in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia.

 

At the Upper Iweka in Onitsha, youths and adults, including men and women displayed massive fireworks while chanting pro-Biafran songs.

 

In Abia State, It was an atmosphere of joy in Umuahia and Aba areas as family and friends of the IPOB leader rejoiced over the news Kanu’s release.

 

Reacting to the development, Kanu’s younger brother, Emma Kanu, told The PUNCH that the “The victory is for all of us.

 

“I am thanking all men, women, pastors, journalists, IPOB media warriors, those we know and those we do not know all over the world, especially the Appeal Court judges that handle the case, even the dead.

 

“I also thank the Federal Government who understood and which I know will abide by the Appeal Court decision. This is a win-win day. More importantly, this is the time for all to sit down for the truth to be said. The truth must be said.

 

The Senator representing Abia South at the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe, said, “We thank God that justice has been done by the judgment.

 

Court delivers judgment

Delivering judgment in the appeal on Thursday, the appellate court declared as illegal and unlawful, the abduction of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

 

It further held that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria thereby making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.

 

Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie voided and set aside the charges by the Federal Government against Kanu and also discharged him from the alleged offences.

 

Adefope-Okojie held that the failure of Nigeria to follow due process by way of extradition was fatal to the charges against Kanu.

 

The Appeal Court also held that the failure of the Federal Government to disclose where and when the alleged offences were committed was also fatal to the terrorism charges and made them liable to dismissal.

 

The Appellate Court said that the Federal Government having flagrantly breached the fundamental rights of Kanu lost the legal right to put him on trial.

 

The court held that laws are meant to be obeyed and that the Federal Government has no reason to have taken laws into her own hand in the illegal and unlawful way the matter of Kanu was handled.

 

Adefope-Okojie held that the failure of Nigeria to follow due process by way of the extradition process as prescribed by law was fatal to the charges against Kanu.

 

“By engaging in utter unlawful and illegal act and in breach of its own laws in the instant matter, the Federal Government did not come to equity in clean hand and must be called to order.

 

“With appalling disregard for local and international laws, the Federal Government has lost the right to put the appellant on trial for any offence.

 

“Treaties and Protocols are meant to be obeyed. No government in the world is permitted to abduct anybody without following the due process of extradition. Nigeria is not an exception or excused. Nigeria must obey her own law and that of international so as to avoid anarchy”, the judge declared.

 

Before Kanu filed the appeal against his trial, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had dismissed the IPOB’s leader’s claim that the federal government illegally repatriated him from Kenya to Nigeria without following a formal extradition procedure.