Biafra: Court Withdraws Treasonable Suit Against Kanu On Request

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The trial of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of the Radio Biafra, Nnmadi Kanu Wednesday, suffered another setback as Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja discontinue with the suit.

The withdrawal followed the IPOB Leader’s protest against the jurist, with respect to trust and hope of getting justice by him and other two respondents from his court.

Kanu is being tried over unlawful assembly and running of an illegal radio Station. Others who were joined in criminal suit were Messrs Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

While ruling on the defendants’ opposition, Justice Mohammed held that the accused has right to so oppose and subsequently announced that the case file would be transferred to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to take further action.

In contrary, Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Mohammed Diri, who filed fresh six count charge, which included treasonable felony against Kanu and other accused last week Friday, opposed Mr. Kanu’s objection, therefore requested the judge to dismiss the prayer.

The Prosecution Director insisted that the rejection was contrary to section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

It would be recalled that a Magistrate Court in Wuse II zone area of Abuja, ordered the release of Kanu on the ground of jurisdiction. Similarly, Justice Adeniyi Ademola last Friday also ruled that the IPOB Leader be granted unconditional release by the Department of State Services (DSS).