KEY POINTS
- Nnamdi Kanu appeal dismissal upheld by court.
- Case became academic after conviction and sentencing.
- Prison preference satisfies appeal request for transfer.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Friday struck out Nnamdi Kanu’s case challenging alleged violations of his fundamental rights. The embattled IPOB leader is already serving a life sentence at Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The Department of State Services and the Attorney General of the Federation were listed as respondents in the case.
Nnamdi Kanu appeal dismissal deemed academic by court
A three-member panel ruled the appeal redundant since Kanu had already been convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Boloukuromo Ugo delivered the lead judgment, noting Kanu’s lawyer confirmed his client’s current incarceration.
The court said a request to transfer Kanu from DSS custody to Kuje prison could not be granted. Kanu had previously expressed a preference for prison custody, which the Sokoto correctional facility satisfies.
The appellate judges therefore struck out the appeal for lack of merit, citing the fulfillment of the key prayer in the original filing.
Conviction follows terrorism trial
Kanu’s appeal targeted the July 3 judgment of Justice Taiwo Taiwo, which dismissed his earlier suit for enforcement of fundamental rights.
The Federal High Court had convicted Kanu on November 20 on a seven-count terrorism charge. Justice James Omotosho also ruled that the prosecution proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Finally, the dismissal by the Court of Appeal brings finality to Kanu’s legal challenge regarding his detention and prison placement.
