Updated: Nnamdi Kanu: Court awards N500m cost against FG

A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, on Wednesday slammed a N500m cost against the Federal Government for the abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The court presided over by Justice Evelyn Anyadike upheld Kanu’s suit against the Federal Government and directed the FG to pay the amount to IPOB leader, according to the report by a Vanguard’s correspondent who covered the trial.

The verdict is coming barely one week after the Court of Appeal in Abuja had declared Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria illegal, saying it did not follow due process, and that it violated all known International treaties signed by Nigeria.

The appellate court declared that the Federal Government had lost legitimacy to put the IPOB leader on trial.

It further quashed all seven counts of terrorism charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.

For the case in Owerri, Kanu had through his Special Counsel, Mr Aloy Ejimakor, sued the Federal Government, challenging his abduction and rendition from Kenya.

He is, among other things, praying the court to order his return to Kenya where he was abducted.

Justice Anyadike had after the last sitting reserved judgement for tomorrow, October 27, but Kanu’s lawyer, two days ago said the judgement day had been moved to Wednesday (today).

Although the appeal court has discharged the IPOB leader, the government has refused to release him, saying he is ” a flight risk”.

The FG haa also appealed the judgement at the Supreme Court.