Crime News
FG Files New Charges Against Biafran Activist, Mazi Nnamdi In Abuja Today
November 8, 2016 – Biafran Activist, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Re arraigned On Amended 11-Count Charge On Terrorism, Treason & Defamation
The FG today in Abuja re-arraigned Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOD) on an amended 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and publication of defamatory matter.
Kanu, along with Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, were re-arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja and they pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
Nyako fixed Nov. 17 to hear the bail applications filed by counsel to all the defendants.
Nwawuisi, who is the 4the defendant, was added in the amended 11-count charge, as he had not been previously charged with the other three in the earlier six-count charge.
In the amended charge, in count one, all four defendants were accused of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
In count three, they allegedly managed an unlawful society, while count eight borders on possession of unlawful firearms and count 11 hinges on acts of terrorism.
They allegedly committed the offences in Nigeria and London between 2014 and 2015.
Counsel to the defendants, Chief Chucks Muoma (SAN), Mr Inalegwu Adoga, Mr E.I Esene and Mr Maxwell Okpara, complained to the judge that the prosecution was bent on frustrating the case by employing unnecessary delay tactics.
But Nyako said that since the case was before her for the first time, she was not interested in what had happened in the past.
“The case is coming before me for the first time so let us start on a clean slate, forget what happened previously,” Nyako said.
Nyako would be the third judge handling the case against the IPOB leader.
The first judge that handled Kanu’s matter was Magistrate Shuaibu Usman of Wuse Zone 2, Magistrates’ Court, Abuja.
Usman squashed all the charges against Kanu after the Prosecutor, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The case was later filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, where it was assigned to Justice Adeniyi Ademola.
Kanu, however, during one of sittings told the court that he was no longer confident in the court saying he got information that he would not receive a fair hearing.
The case file was then returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta who reassigned it to Justice John Tsoho.
However, following an alleged conflicting ruling giving on the issue of secret trial in favour of the DSS, Kanu in a petition asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Tsoho.
He also filed an application asking the judge to disqualify himself from the matter.
Tsoho then hands off the matter on Sept. 26 and sent the case file to Auta, who reassigned it to Nyako.
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John Emeka
November 8, 2016 at 4:31 PM
they should let this man be pls… which kind rubbish is this
Metu Nyetu
November 8, 2016 at 4:37 PM
WHY IS the FG behaving as if they are guessing what and what not to do, going back to the drawing board and coming out all over again? That smirks of cluelessness. Tomorrow, they will still come up with additional fresh charges. I’d thought that Nnamdi Kanu should be the one drowning and grabbing at straws. The table seems to be turned around.
themiturpe
November 8, 2016 at 5:56 PM
They should leave dis man alonewe don’teven see change they promise us
chris
November 8, 2016 at 7:03 PM
FG and so called DSS are in confuse. Relies this man of God (mazi)Nnamdi Kanu
fifelomo
November 8, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Soon, I hope mazi KANU will be set free. How soon I don’t no!
Lola O
November 8, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Why waste energy and resources on this guy, can’t people see that he’s a psychiatric patient? No one needs be a doctor, see the blank look on his face. They should lock him up in a secure place and give him medication until he can’t even remember his name, talk less of calling for Biafra. Biafra ko, Afghanistan ni. Thank God for PMB, if na ruthless ruler like Abacha, he would have disappeared without trace forever. He is a nuisance causing unnecessary turbulence and distraction from the real issues facing Nigeria, with his ignorant, uneducated die-hard core of followers. Stupid!
Clemcie
November 8, 2016 at 8:16 PM
I see corruption in play here,,,Kanu u go fear fear,,,God help u!,
#naijawedey,,!
Endure
November 8, 2016 at 8:28 PM
Good comment @Metu Nyetu. It is very much clearer that Burahi is directly inviting an unexpected upheaval,turmoil and cataclysms one that is capable of disrupting his administration and exposing his shameful lawlessness and perversion of justice that has being manifested in his administration without limit.
Nnamdi Kanu have been unlawfully and unjustly detained for almost a year before the beginning of his trial. That is a clear violation of our national constitution,the rule of law and of human right.
Buhari have largely turned a blind eyes and neglected the chronic abnormality and malpractices in the northern judicial system one of which saw the release of the 5 criminal muslim extremists and murderers that killed the aged igbo woman,Madam Bridget in a cold blood.
It is easy for Federal Government to bring up new charges against Nnamdi Kanu whose Biafran supporters have been assassinated in broad day light in their tens by Buhari’s forces without justice while the incessant killings and ethnic cleansing of Agatu people and the more than 50 people in UZOR UWANI local government in Enugu that were maimed and massacred with machetes by Buhari’s tribe’s men-the Fulanees have been considerably overlooked and condoned by the President.
Buhari will surely be held accountable for the potential civil unrest that could lead to more bloodshed and ethnic strife in the country should he continue to take side along religious,political and ethnic line.
don
November 8, 2016 at 11:07 PM
And u offering amnesty to bokom haram leaders
Bigdady
November 8, 2016 at 11:52 PM
Fg just looking for a way to jail this young man . Clueless leadership at the highest level.
spayor
November 9, 2016 at 4:33 AM
A sword having two faces…..
Metu Nyetu
November 9, 2016 at 6:33 AM
10/10@ENDURE! BUHARI IS more concerned about Biafra than what savagely attacks that his brothers carry out in the country. In his lopesided and partially mature thinking, Biafra threatens the unity of Nigeria more than his brothers brutal ways. His silence on this highly pertinent issue is a tacit endorsement of carnage by his bloodletting brothers.
sola olaniyi
November 9, 2016 at 8:36 AM
they should let this man be abeg
Nelson
November 9, 2016 at 9:06 AM
Taking dis innocent young man around will not help nigeria problem ” FG should just free him to go “mazi Nnamdi kanu” BIAFRA’S stand for ur matter