The proceedings of the trial for the leader of the banned Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, have recommenced at the Federal High Court in Abuja under the jurisdiction of Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako.
In 2021, the Federal Government lodged an amended 15-count indictment of terrorism and treasonable felony against Mr. Kanu.
Following his extradition from Kenya, he faced arraignment in July 2021.
Justice Murtala-Nyako, the presiding judge, dismissed eight of the 15 counts subsequent to a ruling on the preliminary objection raised by Mr. Kanu’s counsel, contesting the legality of the charges.
Mr. Kanu contested the trial court’s decision to maintain seven out of the 15 counts, as his preliminary objection aimed at the complete dismissal of the charge.
The Court of Appeal had dismissed the charges against Mr. Kanu, citing the Federal Government’s error in extraditing him to Nigeria.
However, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision, ruling that the Federal Government’s actions did not invalidate the charges or the trial.
The Apex Court held that the Federal Government’s actions could not nullify the charges or the ongoing trial.
Consequently, the defendant was instructed to resume his trial at the Federal High Court, where proceedings had been temporarily halted.