Am not guilty - Kanu tells court .Nyako adjournes hearing till February 16

 

By Maureen Ikpeama

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has pleaded not guilty to any of the 15-count terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

He made the plea when the charges were read to him by the Registrar of the court,  A. O. Yahaya.

Following an absence of objection, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that Kanu take his plea in the 15 counts terrorism charges brought against him.

Justice Binta Nyako issued the order following the request of the Federal Government's  lawyer, Shuaib Labaran, and no objection by Mike Ozekhome (SAN) standing for Kanu.

A lawyer to the Nigerian government requested permission from the court to open the case on the amended charges and called for the first witness.

His request was, however, opposed by Kanu’s lead counsel Mike Ozekhome, who urged the court to hear the defendant’s application for preliminary objection and motion for bail.

Ozekhome noted that the applications have been served on the prosecution and it is important to be heard first before any trial can commence.

Judge Justice Binta Nyako held that the application filed by the defendant must be determined first, and the only application that will be taken is challenging the competency of the charge.

The judge on had on Monday, said that she doesn't want to see Nnamdi Kanu wearing the same outfit to court at the next adjourned date.

But counsel to the Nigerian government said the order of the court has been obeyed but the IPOB leader chose to wear the same outfit.

In compliance to Justice Nyako's directives yesterday , the Federal Government confirmed that the Department of the State Service (DSS) has provided Kanu with an orthopedic mattress, pillows, blankets among others in compliance with the court order.

Labaran conveyed the news to Justice Nyako at the resumption of Kanu’s arraignment.

Kanu’s lead lawyer, Ozekhome showered encomiums on the DSS, adding that his client will now live and sleep like a human being.

Nyako adjourned the hearing till 16th February for a hearing of pending applications.