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The trial judge for the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s 15-count charge by the Federal Government bordering on treasonable offences, Justice Binta Nyako, on Friday, ruled that rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed, against defence team’s postulation that it is grossly illegal and a clear violation of Kanu’s fundamental rights under Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
Justice Nyako said: “Regarding the claim that Kanu was illegally brought into Nigeria from Kenya, the IPOB leader remains a fugitive because of a bench warrant against him.
“Rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed. In the instant case, there is bench warrant on the defendant, and suffice it to say, he is a fugitive before the court.”
The judge, who, however, said the trial of Nnamdi Kanu will go ahead, reduced drastically, the 15-count charge by the Federal Government, striking out several of the charges in her ruling on the application by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Ruling in the matter, she said: “In this instant preliminary objection application, I have read the counts, and counts 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 have not disclosed any offence. Counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15 show some allegations. And the court shall proceed to try the defendant on those counts.”
Regarding the claim on the purported illegal rendition of Kanu into Nigeria from Kenya, Justice Nyako held that the IPOB leader remains a fugitive because of a bench warrant against him, saying that the court has jurisdiction to try the defendant for offence committed outside the court, contrary to Kanu’s lawyers’ argument./SHARE THIS
- Tags: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB, FG