Nnamdi Kanu Discharged, Not Acquitted; We Will Explore Other Legal Options -- Buhari Government

Malami said that other issues that predated rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid

It is not yet uhuru for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government has claimed that Kanu is only discharged but not acquitted by the Court of Appeal judgment.

 

The government in a reaction on Thursday said it would explore all other legal options open in the judgment to pursue Kanu's trial, adding that his case before extraordinary rendition was still valid.

 

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, stated this in a statement he issued through his Special Assistant on Media, Umar Gwandu.

 

Malami said that other issues that predated rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination and the federal government was still studying the judgment.

 

The statement reads: "The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

 

"For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

 

"Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.

 

"The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issues that borders on rendition.

 

"Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination."

 

"The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues," the statement added.