Kanu Pleads Not Guilty To FG’s Fresh 15-Count Charge
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the 15-count terrorism charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The IPOB leader is standing trial on an amended seven count criminal charge bordering on alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.
Kanu however filed a preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the charge as well as the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
He described the 15-count charges as baseless, worthless and therefore cannot stand the test of the law thus, should be dismissed by the court.
Kanu did not only pleaded not guilty to the charges against him but is also challenging the competence of the charge filed against him by the Federal Government in addition to the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.
Lead counsel to Kanu’s legal team, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, stated the position of his client on Wednesday shortly after his (Kanu) arraignment during which he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
However, the prosecution lawyer, Mr Shuaib Labaran Esq. had told the Court that he was ready to commence trial, saying that the prosecution was prepared.
Labaran said that there are preponderance of evidence brought to court to prove the case of the prosecution against Kanu.
But, Ozekhome quickly countered him, stressing that trial cannot commence until the Kanu’s application seeking to quash the charges was heard and determined.
The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako agreed with the position of the defendant’s lead lawyer and therefore fixed Wednesday, February 16 202 for hearing in the application challenging the competence of the charge.
Kanu was first arrested at a hotel in Lagos in 2015 when he came into the country and was arrested and later arraigned with four others on a six count charge. He later jumped bail in September 2017 after which his trial was separated from the others and only resumed mid-2021 following his re-arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria.
The Federal Government in the fresh charge accused Kanu of intimidating and threatening that people will die, including those who violated his sit at home order.
For instance, in count four to seven of the charges, Kanu was said to have made several broadcast between 2018 and 2021 wherein he incited members of the public in Nigeria to hunt and kill Nigerian security personnel, including police officers and their family members.
Similarly, Kanu was accused in count eight, Kanu of directing members of the proscribed IPOB to manufacture bombs while count nine accused him of “intent to destabilize the fundamental political and economic structures of Nigeria” as well as inciting members of the public to stop the Anambra State Elections.
It read; “You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013
In the same vein, in count 10 to 12, Kanu was also accused to have incited members of the public to destroy public facilities and to stage a violent revolution in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria while count 13 states; “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to incite violence in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria, you directed members of the public to burn down every federal facility in Lagos resulting in major economic loss to the Federal Government and you there by committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.”
Count 14 also states; “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to Incite violence in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria you directed members of the Public to destroy public transport system in Lagos, resulting In major economic loss to the government and you there by committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.”
This is just as Count 15 states; “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, a Radio Transmitter known as Tram 50OL concealed In a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 47 (2) (a) of Criminal Code Act, Cap, C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004,” the charge sheet read.
