October 14, (THEWILL) – All may not be over for Nnamdi Kanu, the acclaimed leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), as the Federal Government has said that Kanu has only been discharged and not acquitted.
THEWILL earlier reported that a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, quashed the terrorism charge the Federal Government brought against Kanu.
The court also declared his extradition unlawful. It held that the rendition, without adherence to due process of the law, was a gross violation of all international conventions, protocols and guidelines that Nigeria is a signatory to, as well as a breach of the Appellant’s fundamental human rights.
But in its reaction on Thursday night, the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), contended that Kanu was merely discharged by the appellate court and not acquitted.
Malami, who insisted that issues that predated Kanu’s rendition from Kenya, are yet to be determined by the court, said the government would exploit the appropriate legal options and communicate same to the public.
The AGF in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, stated, “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 predate 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 judgement on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”
