Biafra: Kanu, others to take fresh plea Oct 17

The Federal Government’s fresh charges against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others have been fixed for October 17.

Kanu is facing a five counts charge bordering on treasonable felony and criminal defamation before a Federal High Court in Abuja. Those charged with him are: Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

The Federal Government has amended the charges to include one more defendant identified as Bright Chimezie, one of Kanu’s personal assistants.

The Federal Government alleged that Chimezie facilitated the importation of the Radio Biafra transmitter into the country, and moved it to Ihialla, Anambra State.

The fresh plea, which was expected to be taken tomorrow, will no longer hold as the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, has proceeded on annual vacation.

Defence counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had accused the Federal Government of contempt of court over attempts to arraign Chimezie. He said the action is a disobedience of an order of a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State which awarded the sum of N5m damages against the Department of State Services (DSS) following his prolonged detention.

On the claims that Kanu has violated the bail terms listed by the court for his release, a source in the Ministry of Justice informed Daily Trust that there is no application seeking the revocation of Kanu’s bail.

Meanwhile, one of the defendants in the case, David Nwawuisi has asked the court to make an order inviting his private doctor to the prison in Kuje to treat him.

In the application brought by his doctor, Maxwel Opara, the defendant claimed that he is terribly sick and the medical personnel in the prison have been maltreating him to make him feel unsafe in their hands.