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Nigerian Court Drops Charges Against Biafra Leader Nnamdi Kanu

The 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.

InFocus

Katrin Gänsler/Deutsche Welle

Nnamdi Kanu (file photo).

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