The imprisoned chief of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has been released and exonerated of the seven-count accusation against him by the Federal Government.
The triad panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, presided over by Justice Jummai Hanatu, stated it was convinced that the Federal Government openly transgressed the law when it forcibly extradited Kanu from Kenya to the nation for the resumption of his trial.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court determined that such extraordinary rendition, without compliance with proper legal procedures, constituted a significant breach of all international treaties, protocols, and guidelines that Nigeria subscribes to, in addition to a violation of the Appellant’s essential human rights.
As per the court, the Federal Government did not contest the claim that Kanu was kidnapped and returned to the nation from Kenya without any extradition processes.
It indicated that the FG was “ominously mute on the matter” which it referred to as crucial in establishing whether the trial court would retain the authority to proceed with the criminal case before it.
“In legal terms, that represents a serious lapse and such a lapse is an admission by the Respondent.
“When a party neglects to challenge a statement made by an adversary, the issue not disputed is considered accepted”, the court pronounced, emphasizing that the burden rested on the FG to validate the legitimacy of the Appellant’s capture and return from Kenya.
