I’m a freedom fighter, not Buhari who overthrew legitimate govt in 1983 – Kanu

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has described himself as a freedom fighter.
He told the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, that he is not like people (referring to President Muhammadu Buhari) who overthrew legitimate government in 1983.

He stated this through his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, when the court resumed trial on his case on Thursday, arguing that he committed no crime promoting self-determination for the Igbo.

He went further to argue that the agitation for Biafra for which he is being tried and accused of committing treason, predated the government of President Buhari and said the case against him is ridiculous.

Ejiofor then prayed the court to quash the charges against his client as there was nothing wrong in Kanu demanding for the independent of the Igbo people.

He said, “The Biafra agitation predates this present administration. The fact that the Honourable Justice Ademola decided that there was no incriminating evidence against the first defendants, he ordered his release but this was blatantly refused.

“He’s a freedom fighter unlike people who overthrew a legitimate government in 1983. The court has no option but to discharge the charges. The court should trash the charges.‎

“There is no ingredient of treasonable felony found in the proof of evidence before your lordship.”

Read also: BIAFRA: Kanu causes stir in court over secret trial, forces judge to defer case

In his submission, the prosecution and counsel to the Federal Government, Shuaibu Labaran, asked the trial judge to disregard the application of the defence on the reason that it lacked substance.

Shuaibu argued, “We submit that the application has no substance, and should be discountenanced. We urge your lordship to refuse the application.‎”

Kanu and David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe, are facing trial for alleged treasonable felony leveled against them by the Federal Government.

Recall that President Buhari as a military general, led a coup d’état that removed the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari in 1983. He himself was later ousted by another army general, Ibrahim Babangida in 1985.

Kanu has sworn to make earth-shaking revelations as the Federal Government proceeds with trial against him. Afraid of untoward developments, the court resolved to conduct the trials in secrecy which  Kanu’s counsel vehemently opposed.

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