The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the Federal Government’s appeal challenging the verdict of the Appeal Court which dismissed the charges against the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The apex court declined to order Kanu’s release from detention and held that he must face trial at the Federal High Court.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim but prepared by Justice Garba Lawal, the Supreme Court voided and set aside the October 2022 Appeal Court judgement which ordered Kanu’s release and quashed the terrorism charges against him.
The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to rule that Kanu could not be tried again based on the illegality perpetrated against him by the Federal Government following the invasion of his home.
It said that although the Nigerian government recklessly and unlawfully brought in Kanu from Kenya, such an unlawful act has not divested any court from proceeding with trial.
The apex court further said that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya, adding that at the moment, the remedy for such action is for Kanu to file a civil matter against such act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
It subsequently ordered that Kanu should go and defend himself in the remaining seven counts of terrorism charges against him.
