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Tag: Nnamdi Kanu

  • MASSOB urges Southeast Governors to ensure Kanu, others release

    MASSOB urges Southeast Governors to ensure Kanu, others release

    The Leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has urged governors of the Southeastern states to back their words with action.

    Factional leader of the pro-Biafra agitation group, Comrade Uchenna Madu in a press release issued to the media on Monday saluted Governors of the Southeast who met in Enugu at the weekend for unanimously agreeing to seek ways of ensuring the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, including other pro Biafra agitators languishing in different Nigeria prisons.

     According to Madu, the governors should not only make public statement, but must march their words, assurances and decisions with actions.

     He said that Ndigbo are tired of vain promises and assurances which ultimately bring vain and meaningless glories.

     “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, three others at Kuje prison and twenty one MASSOB members at Onitsha / Awka prisons are being held because of Biafra and freedom of our people, they are not criminals but freedom fighters who are loved by the people of Biafra. Igbo political leaders mostly the governors should know that if Nnamdi Kanu is the son or younger brother of Ike Ekweremadu or Nnia Nwodo, he will not spend a month in detention.

    “Majority of Igbo National Assembly members are political cowards and boot-lickers, we advice the Igbo governors to distinguish themselves from the lukewarm and unproductive National Assembly Members. MASSOB and other pro Biafra groups represent the genuine interest of the Ndigbo which can never be denied.

    “If Yoruba leaders can eloquently support and collaborate with Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Hausa Fulani (Arewa) leaders openly romances with Islamic fundamentals including Book Haram Terrorist and Armed Fulani Herdsmen for the goodness of their region and people, why is Igbo leaders afraid to support or collaborate with Biafra agitating groups for the betterment of Igbo land and her people? ”

  • Governors to ‘tackle’ IPOB, MASSOB, Nnamdi Kanu

    Governors to ‘tackle’ IPOB, MASSOB, Nnamdi Kanu

    Southeast governors yesterday rose from a meeting in Enugu to announce their decision to “tackle” the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB ) and the detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

    They also listed ecological problems of the zone, various   abandoned dams,  power and security as issues to be tackled.

    Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), who addressed reporters after the meeting, said the “Ebonyi State Government House was not on fire”.

    His words: “Today, we discussed a number of issues, but let’s first announce to you that our secretariat here in Enugu is now fully functional and so if you have  to contact the Southeast Governors Forum you can do so through our secretariat.

    “Fortunately, it is also in the Enugu State Government House.

    “On the issue of IPOB, MASSOB, Kanu’s detention, ecological problems, various  dams that have been abandoned, power,  security, and other concerns of our people, the Southeast governors have agreed to meet with the various and appropriate authorities to address these problems.

    “We are very committed to this and actions have  started on these issues.

    “Southeast governors also agreed to meet with  stakeholders to address  issues that are of interest to our people.

    “We approved two representatives each and we have mandated them to  meet and fashion out roadmap towards our economic integration.

    “This we will do in  the coming weeks so  they will present a road map for our economic indices and development in our next meeting.

    “Let me digress a little to saythere was no fire at the Ebonyi State Government House. That’s not correct.

    “What happened was that the office of the chief of staff witnessed  over usage of the air conditioner and it had a little problem.“

     

     

  • Senators seek immediate release of Kanu, Dasuki

    Senators seek immediate release of Kanu, Dasuki

    A group of senators pushing for the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki may have concluded arrangements to invoke relevant Senate rules to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami to  effect  immediate release of the duo.
    Leader of the concerned senators, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, has already drawn the attention of the Senate to the continued detention Kanu and Dasuki despite court orders asking the Federal Government to free them.
    Senator Godswill Akpabio, had opposed Ohuabunwa’s motion to free Kanu and Dasuki, on the ground  that it was out of order for Ohuabunwa to introduce the motion especially when it had nothing to do with the debate on the appearance of Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali in uniform.
    Ohuabunwa asked the Senate to prevail on the Attorney General of the Federation to advice President Muhammadu Buhari to free both Kanu and Dasuki the same way he(Malami) advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation.
    The Abia North senator told journalists in Abuja that the continued detention of the IPOB leader and  the former NSA despite court orders asking the  Federal Government to free them was a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of the duo .
    He said that some concerned senators who he is privileged to lead have decided to join other Nigerian leaders in asking for the release of Kanu and Dasuki.
    Ohuabunwa said ” I still stand by my prayers last week on the floor of the Senate that the Attorney General of the Federation should advice the president to release Kanu and Dasuki the same way he advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation on the ground that the matter was in court”
    He said that the continued detention of Kanu and Dasuki amounted to disobedience of court orders.
    Ohuabunwa said that he was already discussing the matter with some senators to formally draw the attention of the Senate to the long detention of the duo.
    “We should have respect for rule of law and I support the call for the immediate release of Kanu and Dasuki.
  • IPOB chief Nnamdi Kanu to know fate Friday

    IPOB chief Nnamdi Kanu to know fate Friday

    The Federal High Court in Abuja will rule on the bail application of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on April 25.
    Kanu and three others are on trial for “treason”.
    Justice Binta Murtala Nyako will on April 6 hear the application seeking variation on the earlier ruling on protection of witnesses in the matter through the use of screen or mask.
    Justice Nyako told the defendants that despite their applications, she would not change her mind on the protection of witnesses, as long as they remain with security operatives.
    According to her, their participation in the case is part of their duties, as such she would not expose them because of future engagement.
    The defendants, however, insisted that they would still bring their application on the grounds that her quashing of six of the earlier 11 charges, has made the case a fresh one.
    They said they were inclined to seek for a variation on the witness protection order.
    Kanu, a director of Radio Biafra, is remanded in Kuje prisons by the Department of State Services (DSS).
    He, David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe were charged with treasonable felony by the Federal Government for leading IPOB movement to ask for an independent Biafra out of Nigeria.
    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recently struck out six of the 11-count charges filed against the defendants for being incompetent.

  • Court rules on Kanu’s bail application April 25

    Court rules on Kanu’s bail application April 25

    The Federal High Court sitting Abuja will on April 25 rule on whether or not the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others, should be granted bail.

    Justice Binta Nyako gave the date after hearing arguments from counsel to Kanu and three co-defendants – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

    Counsel to Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in his argument, told the court that the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution against his client was not strong enough to warrant his continued detention.

    He said the proof of evidence is empty and not strong enough to sustain the charge against his client, adding that his health is deteriorating.

    The counsel said, “We have attached nine exhibits to our application; one of them is an order of this court made by your learned colleague, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, that he be granted bail which has not been complied with.

    “We also attached a letter we wrote to the Controller-General of Prisons informing him of an attempt to terminate the life of the defendant.

    “Canisters of tear gas were left in his cell which he inhaled and this has affected his lungs and he can barely stand and if not released on bail, his health will get worse in prison.”

    He acknowledged that bail was at the discretion of the court, urging the judge to exercise the discretion in favour of his client in the most liberal terms.

    NAN

     

     

     

  • Kanu: ECOWAS court dismisses FG’s application on jurisdiction

    Kanu: ECOWAS court dismisses FG’s application on jurisdiction

    The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice on Tuesday dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the Federal Government to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to hear a case of fundamental human rights violation filed by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    The presiding judge, Justice Micah Wright, in his ruling held that the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the application.

    Wright ruled that the case was admissible and the merit of the case was adjourned for definite hearing.

    The judge then adjourned the case till April 27 for continuation of hearing.

    Kanu is challenging his continued detention by the federal government.

    Joined in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS).

    Kanu, in the suit, is seeking $800 million compensation for violation of his human rights and an order directing his unconditional release and that of his personal belongings.

    He is also praying the court to direct the defendants to respect, protect and promote his rights to life, liberty and freedom of movement, assembly and expression.

    NAN

     

  • Court strikes out 6 counts in charge against Kanu, others

    Court strikes out 6 counts in charge against Kanu, others

    …Fixes March 20 for commencement of trial on remaining 5 counts

     

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja Wednesday struck out six of the 11 counts contained in the charge filed against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others.

    Justice Nyako, in a ruling yesterday, held that the six counts were not supported by the proof of evidence the prosecution submitted in court to support the charge it filed against Kanu and others.

    The other three are: Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and a Field Maintenance Engineer attached to the MTN, David Nwawuisi.

    The ruling was on separate notices of objection filed by Kanu, Onwudiwe and Nwawuisi, challenging the validity of the six counts.

    Justice Nyako said the proof of evidence failed to disclose any prima facie case against the defendants in relation to the six counts.

    The six counts are 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 in which they were charged with managing unlawful organisation, intention to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) to be used against some Nigerian security agents and alleged improper importation of a radio transmitter.

    Justice Nyako was of the view that the allegation in Count 3 relating to “managing of unlawful society punishable under section 63 of the Criminal Code Act” could not be substantiated by the proof of evidence.

    She said the proof of evidence failed to show that IPOB was indeed an unlawful organisation, noting that the prosecution failed to show that IPOB had been proscribed or that it was not registered either in Nigeria or London.

    The judge said the alleged, “improper importation of goods contrary to section 47(1) (a) (i) of the Customs and Excise Management Act” levelled against Kanu in Count 5 did not disclose the elements of the alleged offence bordering on the importation of a Radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L.

    The judge held that the allegation in Count 7 accusing Madubugwu of “managing of unlawful society punishable under section 63 of the Criminal Code Act” by accepting and keeping a container housing the radio transmitter which he allegedly knew was to be used for Radio Biafra, also did not disclose any element of the alleged crime.

    She said count 9 in which sense Onwudiwe and Nwawuisi were charged with “conspiracy to commit treasonble felony contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act” did not disclose the elements of the alleged crime.

    Justice Nyako said the count failed to disclose which of the acts of installation of the transmitter on the MTN mast site at Ogui Road, near St. Michale Church, Enugu State, and the agreement on the payment of N150,000 was the act that constituted the offence of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony.

    The judge also struck out Count 10, which accused Nwawuisi was accused of engaging in the “management of unlawful society punishable under section 63 of the Criminal Code Act”.

    The prosecution had accused Nwawuisi of the offence for allegedly permitting the installation of Radio Biafra transmitter on the MTN mast for the purpose of propagating the objective of IPOB after being paid the sum of N150,000 by Onwudiwe.

    Justice Nyako said the count could not stand because the proof that the IPOB was an unlawful society was not provided in the proof.

    The judge also struck out Count 11, which accused Onwudiwe of “knowingly committing an act preparatory to an act of terrorism” by allegedly “carrying out research for the purpose of identifying and gathering of improvised explosive device-making materials to be used gainst Nigerian security operatives carrying out their lawful duties”.

    The prosecution alleged in the count that Onwudiwe had by the act, committed an offence of “terrorism contrary to section 2(1)(a) of Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2011 as amended in 2013”.

    The judge agreed with the defence that since the offence only had to do with an intention to commit a particular act, it was the magistrate court that had the jurisdiction to entertain such charge.

    The judge however sustained Counts 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

    They are, in count 1, charged with “conspiracy to commit treasonable felony contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code act” by conspiring among themselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra “for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into Republic of Biafra”.

    In count 2, Kanu is charged with treasonable felony by broadcasting in London between 2014 and 2015, calling for the secession of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

    Count 4 accused Kanu of “publication of defamatory matter contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act” by referring to the then Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as “a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot, and an embodiment of evil” in a broadcast on Radio Biafra on April 28, 2015.

    Count 6 accused Kanu of “improper importation of goods contrary to section 47(2)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act” by allegedly concealing a radio transmitter in a container of used household items and declaring the transmitter as part of the used household items.

    Count 8 accused Madubugwu of being in possession of one Emerald Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number TS 870 – 113 – 0046 and one Delta Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number 501 as well as 41 cartridges/ammunition without lawful authority or licence, was also sustained.

    Madubugwu was said to been caught with the firearms at his house in Ubulusuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State in October 2015.

    After the judge’s ruling, the defendants were re-arraigned on the remaining five counts, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    The defence team indicated its detention to file fresh bail applications, their earlier ones having been rejected by the judge.

    Justice Nyako said the defence was at liberty to file fresh bail application at any time, but must be prepared for the commencement of trial on the next date. She adjourned to March 20.

  • Court strikes out six charges against Kanu, others

    Court strikes out six charges against Kanu, others

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday struck out six out of the 11 charges preferred against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others.

    The other defendants are – David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe.

    Nyako held that the six charges were not supported by proof of evidence by the prosecution, but sustained the other five charges.

    She said there was no evidence before the court to prove that IPOB, which was allegedly managed by the defendants, was an unlawful society.

    The judge sustained charges 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8, which all the defendants entered a fresh not guilty plea.

    The sustained charges bordered on conspiracy, treasonable felony, publication of defamatory matter and Kanu’s alleged importation of goods contrary to Section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    In count three of the remaining charges, the Federal Government alleged that Kanu had in a broadcast he made in London on April 28, 2015, through Radio Biafra, disparaged President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He referred to Buhari as a “pedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil” in the broadcast.

    The judge adjourned the matter till March 20 and 21 to commence trial of the defendants.

    NAN

     

  • ‘Why we investigated Justice Ademola’

    ‘Why we investigated Justice Ademola’

    An official of the Department of State Services (DSS), Babatunde Adepoju told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday that the agency’s investigation of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court was informed by allegations of wrongdoing.
    Adepoju said the intelligence in his brief included allegations that Justice Ademola received bribes from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu to grant them bail. 
    The DSS operative said he was directed on October 9 last year to investigate allegations of bribery involving Justice Ademola. 
    Adepoju, who testified as a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Justice Ademola, his wife, Olabowale and a lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN), said he was also directed to investigate of one Honourable Jenkins Gwede, who wrote a petition against Justice Ademola at the National Judicial Council (NJC), alleging that the judge  collected $200,000 to discharge an earlier garnishee order granted in his favour. 
    Led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Segun Jegede, the witnesS told the court he was equally directed to investigate an allegation that Justice Ademola influenced the appointment of his wife as the Head of Service of Lagos State through his close relationship with former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu and his position as a Federal High Court judge.
    The witness confirmed that Justice Ademola denied all the allegations. 
    Adepoju said upon investigation, there was no evidence to prove that Justice Ademola influenced the appointment of his wife as HOS of Lagos State. 
    The witness said there was equally no evidence to support Jenkins’ allegations. 
    Adepoju said Justice Ademola told him that Jenkins apologised to him, two days after submitting the petition to the NJC, stating that he was misinformed by lawyers to the Delta State Government.
    The witness added that Justice Ademola told him that he (Jenkins) swore to an affidavit in which he withdrew the petition.
    He said he did not also find evidence to prove that Justice Ademola collected bribe to grant bail to Sambo Dasuki or Nnamdi Kanu. “They were hearsays”, he said. 
    Adepoju said investigation also supported Justice Ademola’s claim that the prosecution, in the Dasuki case, did not oppose Dasuki’s bail application. 
    Adepoju said Agi made a statement to the DSS, in which he said the N30 million he was accused of paying into the account of Mrs Ademola was at the instance of two of his clients: Ken Hubert and Bassey Bassey who instructed him to donate $150,000 in support of the Ademolas’ daughter’s wedding. 
    He said when they contacted the two individuals named by Agi, they confirmed instructing the donation.
    The witness said investigation also revealed that Justice Ademola granted three garnishee orders in excess of $636 million, $637 million and $3.1 billion in favour of a client of Joe Agi around the period Joe Agi paid N30 million in three tranches of N10 million each into the accounts of Mrs Ademola.
    He said Justice Ademola told him during interrogation that some of the money recovered from his residence were the conversion of the estacodes he got and withdrawals from his accounts for onward payment to a construction company, Dadks Concept that was carrying out a major construction at one of his properties at 55 Oduduwa Crescent, Lagos.
    Under cross-examination, Adepoju said he is aware that estacodes are given in foreign currencies, adding that he is also aware that whether to spend or not to spend the estacodes remains the business of the receiver of the estacodes. 
    Adepoju said, from available records, there are other sources of income for Justice Ademola.
    The witness said he came across a lodgement of $520,000 by Olabode Johnson of Johnson & Johnson partners in the statement of account of Justice Ademola. 
    “From the record provided by the firm, it was a large sum shared to three brothers with Justice Ademola. From Johnson & Johnson record, the money was from sale of property belonging to Justice Ademola and two other brothers,” he said.
    Further hearing resumes today.
  • Court rules on Kanu’s motion February 10

    Court rules on Kanu’s motion February 10

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed February 10 for ruling on an application filed by pro- Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to quash the charges against him.

    Justice Binta Nyako chose the date after listening to arguments for and against the motion by lawyers to Kanu and the prosecution.

    Kanu, who is the National Coordinator of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and three of his associates –  Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi – are standing trial on an 11-count charge.

    They are charged with managing unlawful organisation, possession of firearms, felony, unlawful importation and terrorism.

    Arguing the application on Thursday, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, asked the court to quash the charges which are specifically directed against his client.

    He said: “The six counts preferred against the first defendant/applicant (Kanu) as shown in counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the substantive charge, and the proof of evidence attached thereto, have not disclosed any prima facie case against the first defendant/applicant, such as to warrant setting the substantive charge down for trial against the first defendant/applicant.”

    Ejiofor said the counts were “smokescreen charges, basically concocted to ensure that the first defendant/applicant is perpetually held in custody.”