Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Federal Government (FG) has indicated that it will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal judgement that struck out the terrorism charge it preferred against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.
On Thursday, the appellate court discharged Kanu and struck out the seven counts of terrorism preferred against him by the government.
A three-man panel of the appeal court said the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Kanu in view of his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.
The court also ruled that the charge preferred against the controversial IPOB leader 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.
Nnamdi Kanu
The appellate court further noted that the government failed to disclose where Kanu was arrested despite the grave allegations against him.
It, therefore, struck out the terrorism charge.
Reacting to the judgement, the FG, through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, argued that the appeal court merely discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.
In a statement by Malami’s spokesman, Umar Gwandu, he noted that issues that predated Kanu’s rendition remain valid for judicial determination.
The AGF, therefore, said the government will exploit the appropriate legal options and also communicate same to the public.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
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