Biafra: FG arraigns Kanu’s co-defendants on fresh charges

The Federal Government yesterday re-arraigned four persons jointly charged with the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu (now at large) on fresh treasonable felony charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, and David Nwawuisi, yesterday all pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on treasonable felony, illegal importation and unlawful possession of firearm.

The defendants were alleged to have between 2014 and 2015 conspired in Nigeria and London, to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu preparations made for states in the South East and South South zones and some communities in Benue and Kogi states to secede from Nigeria to constitute the Republic of Biafra.

Chimezie was also alleged to have between March and April, 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubuluisuzor in Ihiala, Anambra Local Government Area in Anambra State a radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container declared as used household items.

The Federal Government alleged that Madubugwu was in October, 2015 found in possession at his house at Ubuluisuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, an Emerald Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number TS 870-113-0046 and one Delta Magnum Pump Action Gun 501 and a 41 cartridge/ ammunition without authority or licence.

The offences are contrary to section 47 (2) (a), and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The fresh arraignment followed an application by counsel to Federal Government, Magaji Labaran informing the court that a fresh information, which reduces the charges from five to three counts have been filed before the court.

Defence lawyers, Chukwudi Igwe, P.A.N Ejiofor, and Maxwel Okpara had earlier objected to the application on the grounds that the fresh information was a plan to delay the trial and not ripe for hearing having been served on them while in court, accepted for the matter to proceed at the hint of the court.

Justice Binta Nyako has adjourned the trial to March 22. lawful