Nnamdi Kanu to be tried for treason

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday reduced to five the 11-count charges hanging on leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others.

Justice Binta Nyako struck out counts which border on managing an unlawful society, improper importation of goods, conspiracy to commit treason, and terrorism by carrying out research for purposes identifying and gathering improvised explosives device (IED).

Justice Nyako held that the prosecution did not place anything before the court to prove the allegations.

The judge however approved the rearraignment of Kanu on five count charges: which border on conspiracy to commit treasonable felony, treasonable felony, publication of defamatory matter, improper importation of a radio transmitter TRAM 50L and illegal possession of firearms.

Following the fresh plea, defence counsel Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Maxwel Okpara, Inalegwu Adoga and Emmanuel Esene indicated their intention to apply for the bail of their clients.

They also stated that they will appeal the decision of the court to continue to shield witnesses during the trial, explaining that witness protection only applies to terrorism cases under section 2 (1) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011, which is no longer pending against the defendants.

Kanu is being arraigned for the sixth time following his earlier arraignments before a Magistrate Court and two other high courts while the charges before Justice Nyako has been amended twice.

The case has been fixed for trial on March 20.