Court of Appeal decision on Nnamdi Kanu lowers tension in Southeast – Ihedioha’s aide

Aic Akwarandu, an aide to ex-Imo Governor Emeka Ihedioha, has hailed the Court of Appeal judgment on Nnamdi Kanu.

Akwarandu described the verdict as a good decision which has lowered the anxiety in states in the Southeast region.

“The judgement is a relief to the tension in the land. It also signals a new feeling in the country”, he said.

Akwarandu commended the judiciary for maintaining its independence, noting that the decision “presents Nigeria better among the comity of nations”.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja quashed the terrorism charge the Federal Government preferred against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader.

The court discharged him of the seven-count charges pending against Kanu before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The three-man panel led by Justice Jummai Hanatu stated that the government violated the law when it forcefully repatriated the Biafra agitator from Kenya for the continuation of his trial.

The judges said such extraordinary rendition, without adherence to due process, was a gross violation of Kanu’s rights, international conventions, protocols, and guidelines that Nigeria is a signatory to.

The appellate court held that the government’s action tainted the entire proceeding it initiated against Kanu and amounted to “an abuse of criminal prosecution in general”.

In response, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

“The appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public,” a statement by Malami’s office reads.