Nigeria to pursue separatist after charges dropped

The case against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu will continue, according to the Nigerian authorities.

An appeals court dismissed terrorism and treason charges against Mr. Kanu on Thursday.

His organization, the Indigenous People of Biafra, is pushing for the creation of a breakaway state in the country's southeast.

A subordinate court where the trial first began was declared to lack jurisdiction by the capital's court, Abuja.

Mr. Kanu, who has a British passport, was initially released on bail in 2017. However, he later escaped from Nigeria before being apprehended again and returned last year.

His extradition was unlawful, the court ruled on Thursday because the right steps had not been taken.

Both the Nigerian and Kenyan governments refuted Mr. Kanu's claims that he had been imprisoned in Kenya.

The three-judge panel's decision is viewed as a severe setback for the Nigerian government.

However, the government has hinted that it will continue to press its case against Mr. Kanu, claiming that he was just released from custody, not cleared. This suggests that the separatist leader might not be freed right away.

Mr. Kanu disputes every accusation made against him.