Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) group, was illegally arrested and extradited, a court rules in a major blow to the Nigerian government. Mr Kanu was detained on various treason and terrorism-related charges.
Nnamdi Kanu - who holds a UK passport - fled Nigeria in 2017 before being arrested in 2021Nigeria's Appeal Court has dropped all charges against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu after ruling that he had been illegally arrested abroad.The ruling by a panel of three judges is seen as a major blow to the government which had detained Mr Kanu on various treason and terrorism-related charges.
The leader of the banned indigenous People of Biafra group was originally arrested in 2015 but he fled Nigeria in 2017 while out on bail.Ipob is campaigning for the creation of an independent state in south-eastern Nigeria.The court ruled that his 2021 arrest abroad was illegal because extradition protocol was not followed.
Ipob wants a group of states in the south-east of the country, largely inhabited by members of the Igbo ethnic group, to break away from Nigeria and form an independent nation called Biafra.
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Nigerian Govt Reacts to Appeal Court Ruling Freeing Nnamdi KanuThe Court of Appeal discharged Mr Kanu and ordered his release by the State Security Service (SSS).
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Nigerian Court Drops Charges Against Biafra Leader Nnamdi KanuThe Court of Appeal in Abuja has annulled charges against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu and declared his arrest, detention, and trial unlawful. The court ruled that a lower court where the trial started, had no jurisdiction to try him. The court noted that the act of abduction and extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya without due process is a violation of his right. But the government has suggested it will pursue the case further against Kanu - saying he was only discharged but not acquitted. This means the separatist leader might not be released immediately. In July 2021, the UK government asked the Nigerian government to explain where and how Nnamdi Kanu who holds British citizenship, was arrested. The Nigerian authorities at the time, refused to confirm Kanus's arrest, while Kenya's ambassador to Nigeria Tom Amolo, denied his country was involved. Kanu was facing 11 charges that include treason, terrorism, and the illegal possession of firearms. If the government pursues the case, he may still face those charges. Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is lobbying for a breakaway state in the southeast of the country. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a "terrorist organisation". IPOB has been accused of a string of attacks on police stations and government offices in the southeast. The group denies this and has called the accusations an attempt to force it to disband.
Read more »
Nigerian Court Drops Charges Against Biafra Leader Nnamdi KanuThe Court of Appeal in Abuja has annulled charges against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu and declared his arrest, detention, and trial unlawful. The court ruled that a lower court where the trial started, had no jurisdiction to try him. The court noted that the act of abduction and extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya without due process is a violation of his right. But the government has suggested it will pursue the case further against Kanu - saying he was only discharged but not acquitted. This means the separatist leader might not be released immediately. In July 2021, the UK government asked the Nigerian government to explain where and how Nnamdi Kanu who holds British citizenship, was arrested. The Nigerian authorities at the time, refused to confirm Kanus's arrest, while Kenya's ambassador to Nigeria Tom Amolo, denied his country was involved. Kanu was facing 11 charges that include treason, terrorism, and the illegal possession of firearms. If the government pursues the case, he may still face those charges. Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is lobbying for a breakaway state in the southeast of the country. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a "terrorist organisation". IPOB has been accused of a string of attacks on police stations and government offices in the southeast. The group denies this and has called the accusations an attempt to force it to disband.
Read more »
Nigerian Govt Reacts to Appeal Court Ruling Freeing Nnamdi KanuThe Court of Appeal discharged Mr Kanu and ordered his release by the State Security Service (SSS).
Read more »