Biafra: Court Fixes Feb 10 to Rule on Kanu’s Application

Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja hearing the case of the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and three others over alleged treasonable felony has fixed February 10 to rule on a motion by the defendants seeking to quash the charges against them.

Justice Binta Nyako yesterday fixed the date after listening to submission of counsel in the matter.
Kanu, and his co-accused, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are currently facing an amended 11-count charge slammed against them by the federal government.

The charges range from treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.
They however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. At the last sitting, counsel to the first defendant, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had informed the court of pending applications seeking to quash the charges against the four defendants.

He also informed the court of another application challenging the competence of the charge against the defendants.
The court, though did not take the applications, however ordered the prosecution counsel to file his reply and serve it on the defence and fixed January 12 for the adoption of all processes.

At the resumed trial yesterday, Defence lawyers argued that the proof of evidence upon which their clients are being tried does not established any prima-facie case against them.

Ejiofor therefore urged the court to quash the charges against the defendants on grounds that the prosecution’s proofs of evidence failed to link the defendants with the alleged offences.

Responding, prosecuting counsel led by Suaibu Labaran who vehemently opposed the application, insisted that the applications lacked merit and urged the court to consequently dismiss it.

He insisted that the defendants are guilty of the alleged crimes and should therefore face their trial.
The judge however adjourned till February 10 to decide on the application.

Meanwhile, a large crowd of demonstrators demanding the release of the IPOB leader and his co-accused had continue to gather outside the premises of the Headquarters of the Federal High Court, Abuja.