- Challenges competence of charge as court adjourns to February 16
Alex Enumah in Abuja
Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to all the 15-count terrorism charge preferred against him by the federal government.
Meanwhile, Kanu on Tuesday filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge, as well as the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
According to the defendant, the fresh charge preferred against him are baseless, worthless and cannot stand the test of the law and hence should be dismissed.
This was disclosed by Kanu’s lead lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), shortly after Kanu’s arraignment and plea of not guilty.
Although, the prosecution lawyer, Mr Shuaib Labaran, had moved to commence trial, stating that the prosecution was prepared, adding that there are preponderance of evidence brought to court to prove their case, Ozekhome, however, argued that trial cannot commence until the defendant’s application seeking to quash the charge was heard and determined.
Responding, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, agreed with Ozekhome’s position and fixed February 16 for hearing in the application challenging the competence of the charge.
Details later…
