Nnamdi Kanu Was Only Discharged, Not Acquitted – FG
The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that the appeal court in it’s judgement on Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday evening only discharged Kanu but did not acquit him.
The Federal Government’s position contradicts that of Kanu’s legal counsels who noted that their client was discharged and acquitted of the 15 counts charges bordering on terrorism levelled against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgment, a three-member panel led by Justice Hanatu Sankey, unanimously held that it was necessary for the federal government to prove the legality of Kanu’s arrival to Nigeria.
The appellate court held that the FG flouted the terrorism Act and was also in violation of all known international conventions and treaties guiding extradition process thus, breaching the rights of the defendant.
The court further held that having illegally and forcefully renditioned Kanu, the trial court is stripped of jurisdiction to continue to try Kanu.
Responding to the judgement, the FG through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN said Kanu’s case is still on as it will consider all available legal options on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”
A statement signed by Dr Umaru Jibril Gwandu, spokesman to the Attorney General of the federation read;
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 issues 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.”
