Nnamdi Kanu discharged, not acquitted – Malami

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says the Court of Appeal, Abuja, judgment granting the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, victory only discharged him but did not acquit him.

Acquittal is a verdict in a criminal case that the accused is not guilty of the offence. On the other hand, discharge is an order given by the judge that there are not enough grounds to lead the proceedings further against the accused.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on a 15-count charge, bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.

However, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal on Thursday said the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try him in view of his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.

In a statement signed and released Thursday night by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Umar Gwandu, the AGF said the court’s decision was based on a single issue that bordered on rendition.

READ: JUST IN: Appeal Court acquits, discharges Nnamdi Kanu

The statement added that there were other issues predating Kanu’s rendition “on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail” which, according to the AGF, remained valid issues for the court to decide.

The statement read: “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu. For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.

“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition.

“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.

“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”