IPOB: Kanu denies terrorism charge

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has pleaded not guilty to a 7- count bordering on alleged acts of terrorism in a fresh arraignment before a new Judge of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

The proceedings which was conducted by Justice James Omotosho under tight security saw a sober Nnamdi Kanu who dressed in his signature white sports attire apologizing for his previous attacks on Judges and other judicial officers in the course of his trial.

Led by his new lawyer and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi SAN, Kanu denied the 7-count charges read out to him, which included threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence and operating an illegal radio station to broadcast Biafra messages.l.

After his plea was taken, the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court of his readiness to proceed with the trial in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court for a fresh trial.

Awomolo subsequently requested an adjournment to gather his witnesses and also sought an accelerated hearing, which was approved by the court.

Following the prosecution’s request and without any objections by the defence counsel led by Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), Justice Omotosho fixed April 29 and May 2 and 6, 2025 for trial.

Nnamdi Kanu has pleaded pleads not guilty to 7 count charge of alleged Terrorism before a new judge.

He was arraigned on Friday before Justice Omotosho who granted accelerated hearing of his case.

Meanwhile, the court has adjourned further trial to 29th April, 2nd and 6th May.

Before the commencement of the proceedings, the IPOB leader formally apologised to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako, and Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, over his misconduct at the last proceedings of his trial on terrorism charges.

He pleaded passionately for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.

Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi.

emotion-laden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in open court.

Agabi said that Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him.

In expressing his anger, he attacked the Federal High Court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor, and he attacked his own lawyers.

“I hereby apologise to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologise to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.

“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man, but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but is defending the cause of the Igbo people, who are resilient, fearless, and use their God-given talents to give a good account of themselves.

We may have misgivings, but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence,” he pleaded.

In a brief remark, Awomolo, SAN, said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu for all he said against him.

The senior lawyer said he was not a persecutor but a prosecutor and that they work to ensure the quick resolution of the charges.

Kanu, who was brought back to the country in June 2021 from Kenya, was expected to take his plea as the case begins afresh (de novo).

The Chief Judge (CJ) of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4 and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Mr Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho.

The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his team of lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge, after alleging bias.

Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, withdrew from the case and sent the case file to the CJ of FHC for re-assignment.

The judge said she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.

However, the CJ sent Kanu’s case file back to Justice Nyako for adjudication, insisting that a formal application must be made by the defence before the recusal could be accepted.

But Kanu and Ejimakor, on February 10, insisted that Justice Nyako no longer had jurisdiction to preside over the case after her recusal (withdrawal) from the matter, prompting the judge to adjourned the case indefinitely (sine die).

Justice Ahmed Mohammed (who has been elevated to Appeal Court) and Justice Tsoho (before becoming the CJ) had presided over Kanu’s trial before it was assigned to Justice Nyako, following the defendant’s rejection of the two judges.

Daily Sun