The World Igbo Congress, on behalf of the Igbo in the diaspora, has extolled the verdict of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, on Thursday, October 26, 2022, which directed that Nnamdi Kanu be returned to Kenya.
The court ruled that the manner Kanu was brought into Nigeria is a violation of his fundamental human rights, and ordered his immediate restitution. The suit was filed by Kanu’s special counsel Barr Aloy Ejimakor.
Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, was renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria, and is currently being detained at the custody of the Department of State Services, in Abuja. He is being tried over alleged running a proscribed group, jumping bail and treason, among others.
The Federal High Court, Umuahia, presided over by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, also ruled that the federal government pay Kanu N500m in damages, as well as publish apologies to him in national dailies.
The Igbo Congress, in the statement signed by its chairman, Prof Anthony Ejiofor; secretary general, Sir Chris Ogara, and Mr Basil Onwukwe, the PRO, described the judgement as ‘monumental and the zenith of judicial courage, even as the judicial somersault by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in appealing the freedom already granted to Nnamdi Kanu by the three-man panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Hanatu Sankeyas persists’.
The congress stated that, “By this judgment in the Federal Court, Umuahia, we see that there is yet hope in the Nigerian judiciary, and we call on the Attorney General to redirect himself by toeing the line of judicial integrity, honour and rule of law to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu receives earned justice.
“Once again, and in keeping with our statement of October 18, 2022, World Igbo Congress calls on the AGF and the Federal Government to release Kanu now.”
It would be recalled the Court of Appeal, Abuja, had on 13th October, 2022 discharged Kanu, describing his arrest in Kenya as a violation of international protocols, which Nigeria is a signatory to.
But the minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, refused to release him, interpreting that ‘discharge’ did not mean ‘acquittal’.
Malami’s appeal to the same Court of Appeal for stay of execution was yesterday granted, with the matter presently for determination at the Supreme Court.
Our correspodent reports the three justices that presided over Kanu’s earlier case were transferred some days after the judgement.
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