Nnamdi Kanu with his lawyers
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, arraigned, pleaded innocence of treasonable felony, terrorism charges

403

 

The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (lPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was on Thursday arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja amid heavy security presence in and around the premises.

Kanu was driven to court in a black SUV at 8.00am.

An estimated 3,000 security personnel comprising Police, Army, and Department of State Services formed a ring at the court.

However, some journalists, lawyers and staff of the court were barred from entering the premises.

Persecondnews reports that when the charges were read to him he entered a plea of “not guilty” to the seven counts slammed on him by the Federal Government.

After his plea was taken, the court
adjourned the case until November 10, 2021.

 

 

Kanu was bubbling as he took photographs with his lawyers before the court session started at 10 am.

Part of the charges read: “That Kanu “being the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, preparations made by you and others now at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the federal republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

”That on the 16th of May , 2021 in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit and act in furtherance if an act of terrorism by making a broadcast that “in two weeks time, what will happen will shake the world, people will die, the whole world will stand still mark my word” and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

“That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afarachukw lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiizor 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 Wich you declared as used household items and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) of the Criminal Code of Act, Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Kanu has been in DSS custody since he was extradited from Kenya in June this year.

The federal government accused him of jumping bail in 2017 and fled to the UK but Kanu said he left Nigeria because his life was in danger.

Last week, the Federal Government slammed an amended seven-count charge against Kanu, while the FHC issued a hearing notice for Thursday, October 21.

Kanu is being tried before Justice Binta Nyako over charges of treasonable felony and terrorism.

The separatist, who was granted bail in April 2017, fled the country after the invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, by the military in September, a situation one of Kanu’s lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor described as the “rule of self-preservation.”

On June 29, 2021, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, announced that Mr Kanu had been rearrested and extradited to Nigeria to continue facing his trial.

He said the IPOB leader was “intercepted” days earlier but did not disclose which country and how the operation was carried out.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

NDLEA, NYSC Eye Closer Anti-Drug Collaboration

To tackle substance abuse effectively, the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law...

Wike queries FCTA officials, Julius Berger over unapproved ICC subcontract

Top officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and construction giant...

Alleged 500 Acres Land Grabbing: Ogun Govt Arraigns Prominent Monarch

A prominent monarch in Ogun State, the Olu of Obafemi in Obafemi-Owode...

Just in: Pres. Tinubu Holds High-Level Security Meeting at Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu is holding a closed door meeting with the service...

FG Designates Minna Airport As Abuja Airport’s Alternate

As a strategic move, the Federal Government has named the Bola Ahmed...

Meteorological services grinds to a halt as NiMet workers begin indefinite strike

Workers at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) initiated an indefinite nationwide strike...

Develop Abandoned Property in 2 Years or Face Consequences, FCTA Warns Landowners

Landowners in the nation’s capital have two years to develop the land...

Breaking: PDP’s Delta Gov. Oborevwori, Okowa, Others Defect to APC

Amid speculation and denials, Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, the immediate...

Benue Killings: Gov. Alia Demands FG’s Swift Response, Rejects Emergency Rule

As Benue State it grapples with increasing violence and fatalities, Gov. Hyacinth...

RMD Under Fire for Steamy Birthday Post with Omoni Oboli

Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has found himself...

Tinubu Government Inherited ‘Parlous’ Security, Says NSA

Despite inheriting an “extremely poor security situation,” President Bola Tinubu’s administration says...

Oil Bid Round 2024: NUPRC Dismisses Fabricated Blackmail Allegations of Underhand Dealings

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has firmly dismissed any corruption...

NBA Demands State Police to End “Killing Fields” Nationwide

Amidst the ongoing tragic attacks on innocent civilians in Plateau State, the...

Hangman’s Noose Awaits 22-Year-Old in Double Murder Case, Strangling, Stabbing Stepmother, Sister

Convicted of fatally stabbing his stepmother, Rabiatu Sagir, in the neck with...

Nigerian Army’s First Female Director of Army Public Relations Assumes Duty

Lt.-Col. Onyinyechi Appolonia Anele, who was appointed the first female Director of...

Just in: ECOWAS Convenes in Ghana to Address Exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states will meet...

Coup Foiled in Burkina Faso, Military Junta Points to Exiled Officers in Ivory Coast

Burkina Faso’s military government says it has thwarted a “major coup plot”...

Just in: Vatican shares images of Pope Francis’ lying in state

By Daniel Okejeme with additional agency report The Vatican on Tuesday released...

Nigeria’s Mining Sector Sees N6.95bln Revenue Boost in Q1 2025

The Federal Government says it has generated an impressive N6.95 billion from...

April 26 Set for Pope Francis’ Internment Ceremony

The funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, April 26,...