FG lists Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers as accomplices — but suddenly withdraws charge

The federal government has withdrawn an amended six-count treasonable felony charge filed against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The amendment comes on the day fixed to hear an application for Kanu’s bail.

In the amended charge, the federal government listed some lawyers representing the IPOB leader, including Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara, as accomplices of the defendant.

The federal government alleged that the said lawyers, were constantly in contact with Kanu after he jumped bail and fled the country.

Kanu who was re-arrested abroad and brought back to Nigeria was re-arraigned on a 15-count charge of treasonable felony charge preferred against him.

However, Binta Nyako, the judge, had on April 8, struck out eight out of the 15-count charge.

Nyako held that the charges were mere repetitions that did not disclose any offence that could be sustained by the proof of evidence before the court.

At the resumed court session on Wednesday, the judge refused to grant bail to the defendant.

Shortly after, Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s lead counsel, raised the issue of the amended charge before the court, adding that this is the seventh amendment by the prosecution.

Responding, K.E Kaswe, prosecution counsel, said the trial can go on pending when the amended charge is adopted.

He noted that the charges in the amendment are not different from the previous charge.

 “We are not substituting a charge. They are not new charges,” he said.

Interjecting, Ozekhome, said: “The new amended charge, they attached a lot of new pieces of evidence and documents. The pictures of lawyers waiting to have a meeting with the defendant which they took with their hidden cameras.”

The judge, however, noted that she has taken judicial notice of the amended charge and that trial cannot continue on the previous charge.

Consequently, the prosecution applied to withdraw the amended charge and it was struck out.