Lawyer Tells FG To Withdraw Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu, Others

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has told the federal government to drop all charges against his client.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Ejiofor, alongside counsel to the other defendants said they are demanding the release of their clients on grounds that the government has refused to open its case against the defendants.

Kanu, alongside Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie are standing trial on a five-count charge preferred on them by the federal government.

“We demand that the five-count charge preferred against our clients, Nnamdi Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie be immediately withdrawn and the defendants freed without further ado.

“This is because they have committed no offence known to law, and particularly because the federal government has refused to open her case on the criminal charges preferred against our clients.

“The second to fourth defendants cannot continue to be detained on the strength of the frivolous and concocted charges, in breach of their statutory guaranteed rights as encapsulated under Chapter 4 of the Constitution,” Mr. Ejiofor said.

Mr Ejiofor also reminded the federal government that it has flouted several court orders ordering the release of Kanu and the other defendants.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that orders made for Kanu’s unconditional release were disobeyed by the federal government.

“This is not because he has committed any offence known to law, but for their deliberate desperation to keep him behind bars in perpetuity.

“Part of the tricks adopted to ensure that the trial is truncated on a regular basis is the unending amendment of the charge, any time the matter is slated for definite hearing,” Mr. Ejiofor said.

Mr. Kanu was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 14, 2015 for treason and other related offences.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on April 25, granted Mr. Kanu bail on stringent conditions, but the others standing trial with him were denied bail.

The matter was adjourned until October 17 was fixed for commencement of trial.