Why Nnamdi Kanu cannot be tried in any Nigeria court – Igbo group

Why Nnamdi Kanu cannot be tried in any Nigeria court – Igbo group

By Steve Oko

American-based Igbo group, Rising Sun Foundation, has adduced reasons Nigeria courts “cannot try” the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his abduction in Kenya and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, in violation of international law, stripped Nigeria of any legitimacy to try him.

The group in a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Augustine Odimmegwa; and Mazi Maxwell Dede, alleged non regards to due process in Kanu’s prosecution, claiming he was charged under “a dead law”.

“He was abducted, not extradited”, the statement read”, adding that “the law is clear — when a man is taken illegally from another country, no court in Nigeria has any right to try him.”

“He was charged under a dead law — the old Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 that no longer exists. You cannot revive a repealed law to persecute someone.

“The Court of Appeal discharged him, yet the DSS keeps him locked up in total disregard for that ruling”, the statement made available to Wawa News Global,read.

The Igbo group wondered why the Supreme Court would have to okay Kanu’s case for retrial after the Court of Appeal had already already acquitted him of all counts of charge preferred against him.

“And now the Supreme Court has abandoned its own principle of finality
— when a higher court says
‘discharged,”
that’s the end of the matter. But they bent the rules just to keep him trapped.

Arguing that Kanu’s “abduction from Kenya and forceful rendition to Nigeria amounts to gross violation of the International law”, the group urged Nigerians to unite against injustice.

“We are not asking for favours — we are demanding justice under the law.
If one man’s rights can be trampled, no one is safe.

“Justice cannot survive where the law is ignored. Freedom cannot breathe when truth is buried”.

It further argued that “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should not be in detention for one more day. Let’s call it what it is — a shameful abuse of justice.”

According to the group, unlawful rendition attracts:no trial”, adding that “no valid charge exists, fair fearing, denied, and double Jeopardy breached”

Accusing the Supreme Court of”failing in its own doctrine”, the group said
that “International law is on the side of Kanu”.

Citing an earlier judgement by the Appeal Court, the statement insisted that “no court in Nigeria can put Kanu to trial because he was kidnapped from Kenya and brought forcefully to Nigeria.”