JUST IN: Trial of Nnamdi Kanu Resumes at Federal High Court Abuja Following Supreme Court Ruling

The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has resumed at the Federal High Court Abuja before Justice Binta Nyako. The proceedings witnessed a change in legal representation on both sides, with Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN leading the prosecution and Alloy Ejimakor heading the defense team.

The Federal Government had filed an amended 15-count charge of terrorism and treasonable felony against Kanu in 2021. Following his extradition from Kenya, he was arraigned in July of the same year. Notably, Justice Nyako had previously struck out eight counts, ruling on a preliminary objection filed by the defense challenging the charges’ propriety.

In a twist of events, the Court of Appeal had dismissed charges against Kanu, citing the Federal Government’s error in his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria. However, the Supreme Court overturned this decision, emphasizing that the government’s actions couldn’t nullify the charges or the ongoing trial.

Despite Kanu’s challenge to dismiss the charges, the Supreme Court’s ruling mandates his return to the Federal High Court to continue the trial, where Justice Nyako had initially stayed proceedings.