Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal thrown out as judges cite existing terrorism conviction

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ruling that the case had become academic following his conviction for terrorism offences.

A three-member panel of justices struck out the appeal on Friday, holding that Kanu could no longer benefit from the reliefs he sought after his conviction and life sentence.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had on November 20 convicted Kanu of terrorism charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In the appeal, Kanu argued that his rights to dignity, adequate healthcare, and freedom of religion were being violated during his detention in DSS custody.

He sought to overturn a July 3, 2022 judgment by retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo, which dismissed his suit against the Director-General of the DSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Ugo held that the appeal had become irrelevant after Kanu’s conviction and transfer to the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

The court noted that since Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, confirmed his client was now in a correctional facility, the request to move him to Kuje Correctional Centre could no longer be considered.

Justice Ugo added that Kanu had earlier indicated a preference for prison custody over DSS detention, and the court could not grant his requests now that he had been convicted and remanded in the correctional centre.