Supreme Court erred in ordering continuation of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial – Lawyer to NBA, IBA

Lawyer Christopher Chidera has criticized the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its recent decision to continue Nnamdi Kanu's trial after it was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal. Chidera, a member of the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Global Legal Consortium, expressed his concerns in a petition to the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association.

He argued that the Supreme Court erred in its judgement by relying on laws that were repealed and not confronting the higher hierarchy of Nigerian law. Chidera pointed out four major errors in the Supreme Court's decision. Firstly, the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 was repealed in 2022, making the terrorism charge against Kanu invalid.

Secondly, the Court of Appeal had already discharged Kanu and quashed the charges, which the Supreme Court did not order a retrial but continued the trial. Thirdly, the Charter Act, which was used as a ground for jurisdictional nullity, is superior to all terrorism statutes and should have been confronted. Lastly, the Supreme Court named the kidnapping a crime and ordered continuation of the trial despite finding that the abduction was unlawful and against due process.

Chidera urged the NBA and IBA to demand answers from the Supreme Court on why it set aside the Court of Appeal judgment and how the charges could be restored.