Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a verdict in the legal battle involving Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the Federal Government.
According to Daily Post, the ruling was delivered in Kanu’s absence after the judge directed security personnel to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had previously argued that the Abuja-based Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute him.
The embattled IPOB leader, who has been in custody since 2021, faces seven terrorism-related allegations, including incitement, operating an unlawful organization, and actions deemed a threat to national security.
He challenged the validity of the charges, asserting that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he is being tried had already been repealed.
Kanu urged the court to dismiss the charges, claiming they did not constitute any legally recognized offence.
He also asked the court to invalidate the “not guilty” plea entered on his behalf, alleging it was made under false pretenses and in violation of a Supreme Court directive.
Additionally, he sought the annulment of all proceedings that followed and demanded his immediate release.
“My position is straightforward: this court lacks the jurisdiction to try me,” Kanu declared.
However, in his Thursday ruling, Justice Omotosho affirmed the court’s jurisdiction over the case.
The judge further noted that the issue of Kanu’s extradition had already been resolved by the Supreme Court, ruling against him on that point.
Regarding the fairness of the proceedings, Justice Omotosho concluded that Kanu had been granted a fair hearing throughout the trial. View, More,
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