The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has discharged the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges bordering, including treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal 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.
Kanu had approached the Appeal Court seeking to quash terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
He faulted the order of Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered him to answer seven out of the 15-count terrorism charge against him.
He prayed the appellate court to quash the entire charges and set him free on various grounds.
The IPOB leader had said the purported offences were not committed in Nigeria.
However, the Justice Hanatu Sankey-led 3-man panel of Justices, discharged Kanu.
The ruling was disclosed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
In a tweet, Ejiofor wrote: “Appeal allowed, MNk discharged and acquitted.
“Appeal allowed , Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU, discharged and acquitted. We have won! Victory victory victory victory.”