Unless any unexpected developments occur, the Federal Government of Nigeria is set to resume the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on terrorism charges on Monday, February 26.
This decision comes after the Supreme Court’s judgment on December 15, 2023, which gave the green light for the continuation of Kanu’s trial on the remaining seven charges against him.
The trial is scheduled to proceed before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Both Kanu’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome, and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) have been notified.
The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) has also been contacted to ensure the presence of the IPOB leader in court on the specified date.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and subsequent extradition to Nigeria by the federal government.
Initially facing 15-count terrorism charges, eight of these charges were dismissed by Justice Binta Nyako during the trial. In April 2022, the judge upheld seven count charges against Kanu, prompting him to open his defense.
In a surprising turn, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in October 2022, nullified all terrorism charges against Kanu and ordered his immediate release, citing the unlawful rendition from Kenya and unlawful trial.
However, on October 28, 2022, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution of its order following the federal government’s appeal at the Supreme Court.
In a unanimous judgment on December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision, ruling that Kanu’s trial in the seven remaining charges should proceed.
The court maintained that the Nigerian government’s unlawful actions did not prevent the court from continuing with the trial, and any grievance should be addressed through a civil matter against the government.
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