NEW CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST NNAMDI KANU

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Vincent Obeta, said another criminal charges has been filed against the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, by the federal government of Nigeria on December 18 at the same court that granted him bail, a day after he was granted an unconditional release by the  Federal High Court on December 17.


Mr. Obeta who spoke with Premium times said, the new six-count charge which was filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, and signed by the federal Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Diri concerns allegations of treasonable felony, maintaining an unlawful society and illegal possession of items, among others.

Also, other allegations leveled against him include a plot by him and his allies including- Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi- "to cause crises that might force the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, to concede certain parts of Nigeria to a purported Biafra nation." He was also accused of maintaining an unlawful society and retaining items belonging to IPOB, among others, allegations punishable under sections 41 (C), and 63 of the criminal code act; as well as section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, the charges read.

Earlier in his December 17 judgement, Justice Adeniyi Ademola  had ruled that the State Security Service action of having Kanu in its custody without trial for more than two months was inappropriate.

And Magistrate Shuaibu Usman struck out all criminal allegations levelled against Kanu after counsel to the State Security Services, Moses Idakwo, filed for discontinuation of the matter on the instruction of his client.

Mr. Usman said since the SSS, through its lawyer, had filed for a discontinuation of the case, he had no option than to discharge the accused.

Mr. Kanu, who the calls for his release had led to demonstrations in the south eastern states, was arrested by the SSS as he returned to Nigeria, has been in detention since October,

Obeta said instead of releasin him , the SSS slammed the IPOB leader with fresh charges.