FG Gives Reasons For Nnamdi Kanu’s Repatriation From Kenya

• Nigerian government has explained the reason behind the repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya.

• Kanu is under the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for an ongoing trial.

• The Federal Government has been granted permission to appeal against the judgment on Kanu’s repatriation by the Supreme Court.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government (FG) has explained why it repatriated the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, back to Nigeria following his arrest in Kenya.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his repatriation to Nigeria.

EDITOR’S PICK 

• Buhari Under Pressure From NLC To Intervene For Nigerians Trapped In Sudan

• Atiku Lauds Iwuanyanwu’s Election as Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General

• National Assembly Member-Elect Ismaila Yushau Maihanchi Passes Away: A Big Blow to the PDP Family

The Federal Government, in an amended notice of appeal before the Supreme Court marked: SC/CR/1361/2022, said the Biafra agitator was subjected to extraordinary rendition from Kenya so he could continue his ongoing trial in the country.

Recall that Kanu was arrested on Sunday, June 27, 2021, by the collaborative efforts of security services.

However, the appeal was against the October 13, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where it held that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria robs the trial court of its jurisdiction to try him on the seven-count charge on which he was being tried before the IPOB leader absconded.

In the 13-ground amended notice of appeal filed by David Kaswe of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Government argued that the Appeal Court erred when they “held that the extraordinary rendition of the Kanu robbed the trial court of the jurisdiction to hear the pending charges before the court even before the respondent illegally jumped bail and absconded.

“Kanu was standing trial on a 5-count charge preferred against him by the federal government. In the course of proceedings, he illegally jumped bail and absconded from Nigeria.

“The respondent was only returned to Nigeria to continue his trial before the court,” it said.

The Federal Government accused the Appeal Court of failing to consider the illegality of Kanu jumping bail and his refusal to make himself available for trial, which necessitated his return to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court okayed the Federal Government to file nine grounds of appeal.

FURTHER READING  

• NIDCOM Chair: Evacuation Arrangements Underway For Nigerians Trapped In Sudan

• Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership Crisis: Njiko Igbo Forum Rejects New President-General

• Legal Practitioners Call Out Buhari Over Lack Of Transparency In Asset Declaration

A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice John Okoro granted the Federal Government permission for the appeal.

Click to watch our video of the week