FG withdraws amended charges against Kanu

The Federal Government has withdrawn the newly amended charges preferred against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Following the withdrawal of the newly amended charges by the FG on Wednesday, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja struck out the charges preferred against the IPOB leader.

This came after Kanu’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome, complained to the court that the prosecution was trying to delay processes by continuous amendment of the charge against his client.

Ozekhome also told the court that the Federal government has amended the charge for the seventh time.

The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, agreed with Ozekhome’s submission stating that Kanu is not expected to take a plea on those newly amended charges immediately, as he needs time to digest them before doing so.

Earlier, the court denied a bail application filed by Kanu on the grounds that his absence in the past, since 2017, should be determined, before a bail application, would be entertained.

The court had on April 8 exonerated the Federal Government on the allegation that the leader of the IPOB was forcefully abducted abroad to stand his trial.

READ ALSO: Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application 

Nyako, in a ruling, held that rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed.

Nyako said since Kanu was on bench warrant, the law allowed that anywhere he is sighted, he can be arrested and be brought to face his trial.

“Rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed.

“In the instant case, there is bench warrant on the defendant (Kanu). Suffice to say, he is a fugitive before the court,” she said.

The judge, who dismissed Kanu’s move to challenge the terrorism charge, upheld seven counts in the fresh charge filed by the federal government against the IPOB leader.

Nyako said that the federal government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), had been able to establish some allegations against Kanu in counts one, two, three, four, five, eight, and 15.

The Star