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Nnamdi Kanu’s Counsel Explains Why Nigerian Courts Cannot Try Him

Published by Tope Fakinlede on May 25th, 2024.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Counsel Explains Why Nigerian Courts Cannot Try Him

Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has clarified why Kanu claims that no Nigerian court has the authority to try him.

On Monday, Kanu asserted that he cannot be tried by any court in Nigeria, following the Federal High Court in Abuja’s decision to deny his bail request and his transfer from the Department of State Services custody to either a prison or house arrest.

Kanu contended that any court attempting to try him would be committing an act of terrorism. He stated, “The Terrorism Prohibition and Prevention Act prohibits my trial in Nigeria. This is stipulated by Nigerian law. Anyone attempting to try me is, according to the law, committing terrorism. Section 2, Subsection 3F of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act confirms this. Any court proceeding with my trial is engaging in terrorism.”

Backing his client, Ejimakor posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, explaining that Kanu’s assertion is based on two international tribunal decisions that oppose his arrest, detention, and trial. These decisions, he noted, are binding on Nigeria under Section 12 of the Constitution.

“When Mazi Nnamdi Kanu says he’s not subject to trial, one reason is the existence of two international tribunal decisions against his arrest, detention, and trial, which are binding on Nigeria by virtue of Section 12 of the Constitution,” Ejimakor wrote.

“And this is just one reason. There are more,” he added.