Kanu, 7 rivers to cross

… as court drop 8 counts

In what is being seen by observers as a possible commencement of a fair trial, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed eight out of15 charges preferred against the self acclaimed leader of the Biafran struggle, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

But it says Kanu, leader of IPOB, who was picked up in a foreign country and brought home to face trial has seven rivers to cross to prove his innocence.

Friday, .Justice Binta Nyako, struck out counts 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, saying those charges have not really deposed to any specific offense.

Justice Nyako held, “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 offense,”

The trial Judge however said Kanu would be expected to face trial on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15.

Mike Ozekhome, SAN, while moving his application urged the court to strike out the whole charges filed against his client and grant him bail .

“I humbly urge my Lord to use your discretion to grant him bail subject to my lord’s condition.

“You can limit him to stay in my house and I will not allow him to move around,” Ozekhome assured the trial Judge.

Counsel to the Federal Government, M.S. Labaran, asked the court to discountenance the plea for bail.

He recalled that Kanu had acted in violation of an earlier bail granted in his favour by the court‌.

“My Lord granted him bail in 2017 on health grounds, but since then till date, no medical record was submitted to the court until he jumped bail.

“What we should be saying is contempt of court because he has flagrantly violated the orders of the court,” Labaran pointed out.”

“Rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed In the instant case”, Justice Nyako said while ruling on the preliminary objection raised, “there is a bench warrant on the defendant, suffice it to say, he is a fugitive before the court.

“On the issue of proscription of IPOB, this issue is still on appeal, the order proscribing the organization is still subsisting until it is vacated.”

The matter which is attracting public interest all over the world has been adjourned to May  when the court will rule on the bail application.

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