Detained
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday,
alleged a plot by the Federal Government to keep him in detention perpetually.
He
told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the treason allegation government
levelled against him and three other pro-Biafra agitators, were “merely
smokescreen charges” concocted to ensure that he remained in detention. BIAFRA:
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu (M), arrives the
Federal High Court where he is facing treason and other charges in Abuja,
yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan. Consequently, he prayed trial Justice Binta
Nyako to quash the entire 11-count charge preferred against him and his
co-defendants — Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
Kanu equally applied for an order discharging and acquitting him and the other
pro-Biafra agitators.
The four defendants, through their respective lawyers,
queried the competence of the charge, saying there was nothing in the proof of
evidence before the court to support allegations against them. In an affidavit
deposed to by one Ahmed Sadiya, the defendants said: “Nothing contained in the
proof of evidence showed that IPOB, people merely exercising their
constitutionally guaranteed rights to self determination, freedom of expression
and peaceful assembly, is an unlawful society/organisation.” Radio Biafra duly
registered in UK Kanu said the only evidence the prosecution attached in
support of treason allegation against him was an extra-judicial statement he
made to the Department of State Services, statement made by the prosecution
witnesses, and highlight of alleged Radio Biafra broadcasts. He told the court
that Radio Biafra was duly registered and operated under the United Kingdom
Laws.
According to him, “there is nothing in the proof of evidence filed in
support of the charge to show that the radio transmitters imported into the
country are either prohibited or improperly imported. “That the right to self
determination, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are
inalienable rights duly recognised and protected under extant laws and
international conventions, the United Nations Charter and the African Charter
on Human and Peoples Rights.” Kanu maintained that the court had the powers and
a duty to stop a prosecution, which on the facts, creates abuse and injustice.
He said it would be unjust and painful to put him on trial when there was no
link between him and the offences charged for. “The court is respectfully urged
to quash the present charge against the 1st defendant and, consequently,
discharge and acquit him of the offences contained in the bogus charge,” Kanu
added. Meantime, sequel to their application, Justice Nyako adjourned the case
till tomorrow to enable Federal Government file its response.
Access to lawyers
Earlier, Justice Nyako ordered security operatives to always grant the
defendants access to their lawyers. The order followed complaint by counsel to
the defendants, led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Okpara, that security
operatives at Kuje prison blocked them from having access to their clients.
Ejiofor further alleged that some persons that went to visit Kanu sometime last
year were arrested and killed by security operatives. However, government
lawyer, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, refuted the allegation which he said was just
being brought to his attention for the first time. Labaran accused the
defendants of attempting to delay their trial through frivolous applications. He
told the court that one of the defendants earlier wrote a letter to President
Muhammadu Buhari, begging for an out-of-court settlement of the matter
Before
adjourning the case, Justice Nyako warned security operatives against being
overzealous about the trial. Kanu and his co-defendants wore shawls like
Israeli Rabbis. Protesters storm court Meanwhile, scores of protesters stormed
the court premises, yesterday, chanting pro-Biafra songs, with most of them
also dressed in Jewish apparels. The protesters, barred from gaining access
into the court, brandished placards and several Biafra insignia and flags.
Armed security operatives also blocked several journalists from entering the
courtroom. Kanu had on December 12, threatened that he would in the course of
the trial, expose secrets he said would sink Nigeria. The defendants equally
alleged plot by FG to import foreigners to testify against them.
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