Justices Who Discharged Nnamdi Kanu Transferred

The Justices who sat on the Court of Appeal panel that dismissed the 15-count terrorism charge which the Federal Government brought against IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu have been transferred from their divisions.

An investigation by Vanguard revealed that the justices were transferred four days after they delivered the judgement that discharged the embattled IPOB leader.

The presiding Justice, Jummai Hanatu Sankey, who was hitherto in the Gombe Division of the court, was moved to Awka Division, Justice Oludotun Adetope-Okojie who delivered the lead judgement, was transferred to Owerri, while the third member of the panel, Justice Ebiowei Tobi, was moved to Gombe.

A memo dated October 17, which was signed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, stressed that the new posting for the justices was with immediate effect as they were expected to report to their new stations by October 21.

The appeal court had in a unanimous judgement by the three-man panel of justices, accused FG of flagrantly violating all known laws in the way it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.

It held that such extraordinary rendition, without adherence to due process of the law, was a gross violation of all international conventions, treaties, protocols and guidelines that Nigeria is signatory to, as well as a breach of the Appellant’s fundamental human rights.

More so, the appellate court noted that the FG failed to refute the allegation that the IPOB leader was in Kenya and that he was abducted and brought back to the country without any extradition proceeding.

It held that FG was “ominously silent on the issue”, which it described as very pivotal in determining whether the trial court would still have the jurisdiction to continue with the criminal proceeding before it.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will on Monday hear the appeal FG filed to set aside the judgement that freed Kanu.