Supreme Court Insists Nnamdi Kanu Must Face Trial, Overturns A’Court Judgement
The Supreme Court has upheld the Federal Government’s appeal challenging the verdict of the Appeal Court which dismissed the charges against Nnamdi Kanu.
In upholding the government’s appeal, the Supreme Court held that Kanu must face trial at the Federal High Court.
The Supreme Court in the judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, but prepared by Justice Garba Lawal, 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.
Also, the Court held that although the Nigerian Government was reckless and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such unlawful act has not divested any Court from proceeding with trial.
Justice Lawal said that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on the grounds of unlawful abduction from Kenya.
According to the Court, at the moment, the remedy for such an action is for Kanu to file a civil matter against the act instead of removing the powers of the courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.
Kanu was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako, of the Federal High Court in Abuja after his extradition to Nigeria by the Federal Government.
He was facing a four-count of treasonable felony, conspiracy to commit treasonable felony, terrorism, illegal importation of radio equipment, and defamation of former President Muhammadu Buhari
The charges were later amended to a 15-count on terrorism and membership of a proscribed group.
Justice Binta Nyako in her ruling dismissed 8 out of the 15 count , saying that Mr Kanu had questions to answer in the remaining 7 charges
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mr Kanu appealed to the court of appeal
The court of appeal dismissed the remaining charges and ordered that Mr Kanu be to be released.
In a twist, the court then granted a stay of execution of its judgment after the federal government had told the court they were appealing to the Supreme Court.
