Renowned civil rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome has taken over the defence of the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who is facing an amended charge which includes incitement to kill, terrorism and treasonable felony was supposed to take a fresh plea on Tuesday but the case was adjourned till Wednesday due to the failure of the prosecution to serve the amended 15-counts charge on the defendant.
His appearance in court was preceded by additional counts to the charge earlier filed by the federal government
The prosecution counsel tells the court that it is an amend and sought for the defendant to take his plea
One of the counts in the amended charge reads quote “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State sometime in 2021 being a member and leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a proscribed Organisation, did commit an act in furtherance of an act of Terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People of Nigeria by making a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to intimidate the population, and you threatened that people will die, the whole world will standstill, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.”
Another reads “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaraukwu 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 50L 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.
Also Read: FG files fresh terrorism charges against IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
Taking over the defence team for Nnamdi Kanu is civil rights expert and constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome, who immediately objects to his client taking his plea on grounds that the amendment charge was served barely 24-hours to the court hearing
The senior lawyer further informs the court that the defendant has been denied the facilities required to defend the charge against him.
The Prosecution team, led by Shuabu Labaran from the Federal Ministry of Justice, does not object to a short adjournment.
Trial Judge Binta Murtala Nyako rules for an adjournment. But also directs that Kanu, who has been seen wearing the same white two-piece Fendi designer clothes since he was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria and all through his court appearances should be given something else to wear on his return to court on Wednesday January 19
Meanwhile, outside the court premises, there were demonstrations by some IPOB members and a pro-government group which calls itself One Nigeria.
While the court in Abuja will entertain Nnamdi Kanu’s fresh plea on the criminal charge on Wednesday, another court in Abia state will on the same day give its ruling in the civil matter wherein Kanu is challenging his alleged extra-ordinary rendition to Nigeria from Kenya
Editor: Hadiza.A.A
