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Court rules it has jurisdiction as Kanu’s objections fail in Abuja.
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Judge says extradition issues settled and fair hearing was ensured.
- Kanu removed from courtroom after repeated disruptions during proceedings.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered a ruling in the case involving the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the judgement was delivered in Kanu’s absence after the judge ordered security operatives to remove him from the courtroom for persistent unruly behaviour during Thursday’s proceedings.
Kanu had earlier insisted that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to try him. The separatist leader, who has been in custody since 2021, is facing seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, operating an unlawful group and actions said to threaten national security.
He argued that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, the legislation under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed. Kanu urged the court to strike out the charges, insisting they “disclosing no offence known to law” and were therefore invalid.
He also asked the court to nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, describing it as a plea obtained “through deception” and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling. Additionally, he requested that all subsequent proceedings be set aside and that he be released immediately.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the Federal High Court has the legal authority to preside over the case. He explained that the issue of extradition had already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court and ruled against Kanu’s arguments on that point.
On Kanu’s claim of unfair hearing, the judge maintained that the IPOB leader was granted the opportunity to defend himself and ruled that the allegation of bias was unfounded.
More details from the judgement are still being read, and updates will follow as the proceedings continue.
