Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to all 15-count terrorism charge preferred against him by the federal government.
This is as he has filed a preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the charge as well as the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
According to the defendant, the fresh charges preferred against him were baseless, worthless and could not stand the test of the law and hence should be dismissed.
This was disclosed by Kanu’s lead lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Wednesday, shortly after Kanu’s arraignment and plea of not guilty taken.
Although, the prosecution lawyer, Mr Shuaib Labaran had moved to commence trial, stating that the prosecution was prepared, adding that there are preponderance of evidence brought to court to prove their case, Ozekhome, however, argued that trial cannot commence until the defendant’s application seeking to quash the charge was heard and determined.
Responding, trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako agreed with Ozekhome’s position and fixed February 16 for hearing in the application challenging the competence of the charge.
Kanu is standing trial on an amended seven count criminal charge bordering on alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him in October last year.
He was first arrested at a hotel in Lagos in 2015 when he sneaked into the country.
Kanu was initially arraigned alongside four others on a six count charge, however after he jumped his bail in September 2017, his trial was separated from the others and only resumed mid last year, following his rearrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria.
While he had pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on one hand, he is also challenging the competence of the charge filed by the federal government as well as the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit, on the other.
Kanu in the fresh charge is being accused of intimidating and threatening that people will die, including those who violated his sit at home directive.
In count four to seven, the IPOB leader was said to also made several broadcast between 2018 and 2021 wherein he incited members of the public in Nigeria to hunt and kill Nigerian security personnel, including police officers and their family members.
While in count eight, Kanu was accused of directing members of IPOB to manufacture bombs, he was in count nine accused of “Intent to destabilize the Fundamental Political and Economic structures of Nigeria” and inciting “members of the public to stop the Anambra State Elections and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013
In count 10 to 12, the separatist agitator was also said to have incited members of the public to destroy public facilities and to stage a violent revolution in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria.
Count 13: “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to incite violence in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria, you directed members of the public to burn down every federal facility in Lagos resulting in major economic loss to the Federal Government and you there by committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.”
Count 14: “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to Incite violence in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria you directed members of the Public to destroy public transport system in Lagos, resulting In major economic loss to the government and you there by committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.”
Count 15: “That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, a Radio Transmitter known as Tram 50OL concealed In a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 47 (2) (a) of Criminal Code Act, Cap, C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
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