October 14, (THEWILL) – The National Security Council has clarified the Federal Government’s position on the status of the case against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
According to the Council, the IPOB leader still has a case to answer.
The clarification followed Thursday’s judgement by an Appeal Court, which quashed a 7-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government against Kanu.
The court also declared his extradition unlawful. It held that the rendition, without adherence to due process of the law, was a gross violation of all international conventions, protocols and guidelines that Nigeria is a signatory to, as well as a breach of the Appellant’s fundamental human rights.
But in its reaction on Thursday night, the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), contended that Kanu was merely discharged by the appellate court and not acquitted.
Reiterating the AGF’s position, the National Security Council, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the government is considering the next step to take on the matter in due course.
Addressing State House Correspondents after the Council meeting, the Minister of Police Affairs Maigari Dingyadi, joined by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, said what would become of the case against Kanu would be decided in coming days.
“Similarly, the issue of Kanu has also been raised and Council was briefed on the state of things on the matter and it was observed that Kanu was discharged, but he was not acquitted.
“So, the government is considering the appropriate action to be taken on the matter and Nigerians will be notified of the position that will finally be taken on the matter in due course”, Dingyadi said.
He said the council only discussed the Appeal Court judgement, but noted that solutions to these kinds of matters can be considered as long as they are not subjudice.
The council also directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF) to set up a high-powered investigation committee into the crude oil theft in the Niger Delta with a view to unravelling those behind it.
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