The Federal Government has poured cold water on the euphoria against the decision of the Court of Appeal, freeing Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, saying few hours after that he was only discharged by the court but not acquitted.
In what seems an indication that the government might not be thinking of freeing the IPOB boss, soon, the AGF talked about the government making an “appropriate legal options” on the matter, considered an euphemism for going on appeal to the Supreme Court.
Reports say that the appellate court, had called out the government, in a unanimous judgement on Thursday, berating it for breaking all known laws in the manner it forcefully brought Kanu back from Kenya, through extraordinary rendition, adding that such an infraction of the law would not be entertained.
But, Malami, who conveyed the FG’s position, to dull on the matter, which has attracted international and local attention, in a statement by his spokesman, Umar Jibril Gwandu, said the appeal court only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.
The statement, said: “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.”
Source: Whirlwindnews.com.ng