A federal high court in Abuja has struck out eight out of
the 15-count charge filed against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB), by the federal government.
Binta Nyako, the judge, ruling on Kanu’s application on
Friday, struck out counts 6,7,9,10,11,12,13 and 14.
He is to stand trial on counts 1,2,3,4,5,8 and 15.
“In this instant preliminary objection application, I have
read the counts and counts 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 have not disclosed any
offence,” the judge held.
“Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15 shows some allegations.
“The court shall proceed to try the defendant on those
counts.”
Kanu is standing trial on an amended 15-count charge
bordering on treasonable felony.
Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s lead counsel, describe the charges as
“defective and baseless”.
He said his application seeks the “quashing, striking out
and dismissing of the 15-count amended charge” for being “incompetent and
denying the court of jurisdiction to entertain the suit”.
The application, premised on 34 grounds and supported by a
36-paragraph affidavit, is also seeking an order acquitting and discharging
Kanu.
“You are accusing Kanu of making some broadcast. You didn’t
say where these broadcasts were made. Were they made in the spirit world, made
in the air or under the ground?” Ozekhome asked.
He also said according to the provisions of the federal high
court act, a prosecutor is expected to give exact details of a location where
an offence is committed.
Ozekhome adopted his application and asked the court to
strike out the entire charge.
However, Shuaibu Labaran, the prosecution counsel, asked the
court to dismiss the defendant’s application.
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