BIAFRA: FG SLAMS TREASON, TERRORISM CHARGES AGAINST IPOB LEADER, OTHERS

The Federal Government yesterday arraigned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB] Nnamdi Kanu and three others before the federal high court sitting in Abuja over terrorism related charges. Funny enough, yesterday was the third time the Federal Government arraigned the resolute Kanu before three different judges. The accused were first arraigned before Justice A.R Mohammed and later before Justice John Tsoho. The fresh arraignment was before Justice Binta Nyako, the accused were however, arraigned on an 11-count charge bothering on treasonable felony. terrorism, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms, and improper importation of goods. The 11 count charges was hinged on the accused persons' alleged broadcast on Radio Biafra and agitation for secession from Nigeria of states in the south-east and south-south, and other communities in Kogi and Benue state, to constitute a republic of Biafra.

The initial charge filed on December 18, 2015, had only six count charge, with the exclusion of terrorism, which is now the eleventh count in the new charge filed on November 11, 2016. Those originally charged alongside Kanu were Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawusi. However in the amended charge filed by the new Director of the public prosecution of the federation, Umar Mohammed, the national Coordinator of IPOB, Chidiebere Onwudiwe was added to the defendants, bringing the number of the accused persons to four. The re arraignment was as a result of Kanu's recent rejection of the former Judge, Justice John Tsoho, on the grounds that the Judge, before whom prosecution had yet to open its case, was biased . Earlier in December 2015, Kanu had also rejected Justice Mohammed of the same Abuja division of the Federal High Court, on the same grounds. When the charge was first read to the accused persons, they all pleaded not guilty.