Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu appeals in Court, DSS request stop of trail

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Nnamdi-Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has arrived the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court to answer criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested on October 18 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on his arrival from the United Kingdom, is standing trial for alleged criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society and criminal intimidation contrary to sections 97 and 397 of the penal code.

The court had ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce Mr. Kanu unfailingly before it on Monday.

Kanu had earlier failed to appear in court as the prosecution counsel, Mr Moses Idakwo, told the court that the IPOD leader was not brought to court because of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue the trial, which was already slated for hearing.

Following the absence of the accused person, Magistrate Shuaibu Usman ordered the DSS to produce him on November 23, to enable him identify his legal team.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday requested a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court in Abuja to discontinue trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of Radio Biafra, charged with criminal conspiracy.

At the resumed sitting of the case, prosecution counsel, Moses Idakwo, informed the court that after the arraignment of the accused, the complainant stumbled on some facts which took the matter out of the jurisdiction of the court. According to him, the complainant found out that the accused was involved in terrorism and has been financing it.

“The complainant is, therefore, applying to discontinue the matter under section 108(1) of administration of criminal justice act 2015.’’ Idakwo said that the DSS had also obtained an order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, dated Nov.10, to detain the accused in its custody for 90 days.

Objecting, Kanu’s counsel, Vincent Obetta, prayed the court not to discontinue the case because the prosecution did not present any information from the Attorney-General of Federation who had the authority to approve such.

Obetta told the court that the DSS violated the order of the court which granted bail that was perfected but not granted, adding that the accused had been in DSS custody since he was arrested.

Subsequently, the magistrate, Mr Usman Shuaibu, after listening to both counsels, adjourned the matter until Dec.1 for ruling.

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