Nigerian court acquits separatist leader of all government charges

KANO, Nigeria

Nigeria’s Appeals Court ruled Thursday that the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) separatist group had been illegally arrested abroad and dropped all government charges against him.

Nnamdi Kanu was discharged by a three-man panel of judges.

They blamed the federal government for the wrongful extradition of Kanu from Kenya and his "reckless” detention.

On Jan. 18, 2017, a Federal High Court in the capital Abuja banned IPOB, which has been fighting for an independent state of Biafra, deeming it a terrorist organization.

The IPOB filed a lawsuit against the move, saying it was unconstitutional.

Kanu was arrested but released on bail. He fled Nigeria before being seized and brought back in 2021.

The Appeals Court ruled that he was forcefully arrested and flown back to the country, which was a gross violation of all international conventions, protocols and guidelines that Nigeria is a signatory to and a breach of his fundamental human rights.

Kanu had been accused of engaging in subversive activities and inviting violence through radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and its citizens, according to the country's Attorney General, Abubakar Malami.

He initially faced 15 charges, but eight were later dropped.

The trial court is stripped of jurisdiction to continue to try Kanu.