Nigeria's Court of Appeal on Thursday dropped terrorism charges against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu that had been brought by the government, in a unanimous decision by all three judges hearing the case.
The lead judge dismissed a seven count charge of terrorism against Kanu and discharged him, citing that a lower court had no jurisdiction to try the case and that Kanu was abducted and extraordinarily extradited to Nigeria.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.
A spokesman for Nigeria's attorney general said the government was considering its legal options following Thursday's ruling, but said the charges Kanu faced before he disappeared while on bail in April 2017 "remain valid issues for judicial determination." Kanu had denied the charges of terrorism and knowingly broadcasting falsehoods, which are linked to social media posts he issued between 2018 and last year.
His lawyers argued that he could not receive a fair trial because he was forcefully extradited from Kenya to Nigeria. Kenya has declined to say if it played a role in Kanu's return.Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Additional reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by James Macharia Chege and Grant McCool
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