The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has resumed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under the jurisdiction of Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako.
In 2021, the Federal Government amended the charges against Kanu, bringing forth a 15-count charge of terrorism and treasonable felony. He was arraigned in July 2021 following his extradition from Kenya.
During the trial, Justice Murtala-Nyako dismissed eight of the 15 counts following a preliminary objection filed by Kanu’s counsel, questioning the legality of the charges.
Kanu contested the decision to uphold seven of the 15 counts, seeking the dismissal of the entire charge through his preliminary objection. The Court of Appeal nullified the charges against him, citing the Federal Government’s error in extraditing him to Nigeria.
However, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s judgment, ruling that the Federal Government’s actions did not invalidate the charges or the trial.
Consequently, Kanu was directed to return to the Federal High Court to resume his trial, which had been temporarily halted. The proceedings are now ongoing before Justice Murtala-Nyako.
