IPOB leader Kanu still nowhere to be found as Nigerian govt re-arraigns co-defendants

The indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was again nowhere to be found as the Federal Government on Tuesday re-arraigned four co-defendants for their alleged offense of treasonable felony and other related charges.

Following Kanu’s disappearance after Nigerian soldiers invaded his home in Abia State last year September, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, had on February 20, 2018 directed the separation of Kanu’s trial from that of the rest of his co-defendants.

The judge gave the order after the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, in an application expressed worries about the delay the case continued to suffer due to Kanu’s absence and prayed the court to separate the trials.

Subsequently, the prosecution filed a separate set of three counts against the four defendants, and out of the three counts, Kanu’s name appeared in two as a co-suspect “now at large”.

The other defendants are Bright Chimezie, who was arraigned for the first time on Tuesday. The National Coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe; an IPOB member, Benjamin Madubugwu; and a former Field Maintenance Engineer seconded to the telecommunication company, MTN, David Nwawuisi.

When the counts were read out to them on Tuesday, the four of them represented by separate lawyers all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In the first count, the four defendants as well as Kanu and others said to be at large, were alleged to have in 2014 and 2015 in Nigeria and London, United Kingdom, conspired among themselves to commit treasonable felony by broadcasting on Radio Biafra agitation for the secession of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

They were accused of seeking the secession of the South-East and South-South states as well as some communities in Kogi and Benue states from Nigeria as a Republic of Biafra; an offence said to be punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP, C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Federal Government in count two alleged that Chimezie with Kanu had between the months of March and April 2015 “imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State” a radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household items.”

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The offence was said to be contrary to section 47(2)(a) of the Custom and Excise Management Act, Cap, C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count three accused Madubugwu to have sometimes in October 2015 had in his possession in his house at Ubuluisiuzor, one Emerald Magnum Pump Action gun with serial number TS 870-113-0046 and one Delta Magnum Pump Action gun with serial number 501 as well as 41 cartridge/ammunition without lawful authority or licence.

The offence was said to be contrary to section 27(b)(i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Following their not guilty plea, the judge ordered the DSS to transfer Chimezie from its custody to the prison and fixed Thursday for commencement of trial.

 

 

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