Court adjourns till Wednesday, as Kanu’s counsel faults FG’s fresh amended charges

Resumed hearing in the trial of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, adjourned case by one day to Wednesday, January 18.

The adjournment follows application by Kanu’s legal team to be allowed to study the freshly amended 15-count charges brought Kanu by the Federal Government.

Presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the defendant legal team, be given time to study the amended charges, as she adjourned till Wednesday.

Newly-appointed Lead defence lawyer, Mike Ozekhome SAN sought time to enable him to study the amended 15-count charge filed by the prosecution on January 17, 2022, even as he accused the prosecution of ‘ambushing’ the defence with the amended charges.

Ozekhome claimed that the proof of evidence served on the defence by the prosecution was not legible enough to enable them to know what constitutes the fresh charge.

However, Lead prosecuting lawyer, Magaji Labaran, faulted the defence’s claim that the amended charge was an ambush, while also denying the defence’s claim of Kanu not being properly fed, allowed to practise his religion or allowed free access to his family members.

He, however, did not object to the defence’s request for an adjournment following which the judge, Justice Binta Nyako, adjourned till January 19 for arraignment on the amended charge.

Federal Government has now raised the 7-count charge against the IPOB leader to 15, all bordering on terrorism, treason and arms possession.

The latest amended 15-count charge was filed on last Friday at the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Abuja.

The amended charge sheet was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, M.B Abubakar, on behalf of the Attorney-General (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami.

Justice Binta Nyako had at the last court sitting fixed Tuesday, January 18, to hear pending applications, including bail and acquittal filed by Kanu’s legal team.

Oracle Today earlier reported that the sudden filing of the amended charges against Kanu may force the stalling of the trial proceedings, as the new lead counsel, Ozekhome is now faced with preparing new defence against the new charges.

It would be recalled that Federal Government had filed an amended seven-count charge against Nnamdi Kanu, from the original five, while the Federal High Court issued a hearing notice for Thursday, October 21.

The Notice titled; ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria Versus Nnamdi Kanu,’ with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/15, was served on Kanu’s lead counsel in his legal team, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor and the prosecuting lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran.

Federal Government had amended the original five charges against him raising them to seven counts which bordered on treasonable felony and terrorism.

Meanwhile, Justice Nyako has also ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Kanu to change his wardrobe.

The order follows objection raised by Ozekhome during the Tuesday hearingover welfare of his client, as he claimed that Kanu is still being subjected to poor treatment in DSS custody, kept in solitary confinement and that any other detainee who greets him is also kept in solitary confinement.

“I don’t want to see him in these clothes again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise,” Nyako added.