Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, declined to take his plea on the 15 counts of terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.
He accused the Federal Government of ambushing him with the fresh charges served on him late on Monday.
Kanu, through his new lead counsel and human rights lawyer, Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), alleged that the government had breached the principle of fair hearing with the way and manner the new charges were brought to them.
During the resumed trial, Ozekhome complained that the fresh charges were the sixth in the series, adding that his client could not proceed to take plea on charges he had not studied to prepare for the defence as required by law.
He stated, “My Lord, as I am talking now, Kanu does not know the charges yet. He is just interacting with me. He cannot be made to take plea to charges he has not seen.
“The principle of fair hearing is just being violated by the Federal Government. The frail-looking Kanu standing in the dock there has not been allowed access to his family as directed by this honourable court.”
Ozekhome claimed that the proof of evidence was not legible enough for their understanding of the fresh charges.
He added, “I went to the DSS to see him and I was almost stripped naked before I could see him.
“We pray that the arraignment be adjourned till tomorrow (Wednesday) to enable his lawyers to study the new charges along with him in the interest of justice.”
The request for adjournment was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Shuaib Labaran.
Justice Binta Nyako fixed today (Wednesday) for the arraignment.
She ordered that Kanu and his lawyers be allowed to have interface in the courtroom before he would be taken into the DSS custody.
Earlier, Kanu had through his lawyer complained of poor feeding, clothing and denial to practise the religion of his choice.
Justice Nyako, in response, reminded him that the detention facility “is not a five-star hotel,” but ordered that Kanu be allowed to come to court today (Wednesday) in new clothes.
The judge declined the request that an American lawyer, Bruce Fein, be allowed into the courtroom to observe the trial.
According to her, the request will be granted upon a written application and approval by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Kanu was welcomed into the courtroom by five members of his family and he took time to exchange pleasantries with journalists and members of his legal team.
Earlier, the supporters of Kanu and security operatives clashed outside the courtroom.
Operatives of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force barred some journalists and lawyers from entering the court premises.
The PUNCH reports that Kanu’s supporters had assembled opposite the Federal High Court chanting, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Nnamdi Kanu is another saviour.”
The supporters also called on God to set the IPOB leader free, but security operatives pursued them.
The Punch
