Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu, others get December 1 bail applications date
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu will now have to wait till December 1, 2016 before the court rules on his bail applications.
Kanu, along with three others namely: the National Coordinator of IPOB member, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are being held on charges ranging from treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods levelled against them by the Federal Government.
They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges on during their arraignment on November 8.
Onwudiwe was specifically accused in one of the counts of an act preparatory to an act of terrorism.
At a hearing on Thursday, November 17, a Federal High Court in Abuja led by Justice Binta Nyako fixed December 1 as the next date for the review of bail applications after the four accused persons were represented by their respective lawyers.
The lawyers: Ifeanyi Ejiofor (for Kanu); Mr. I. Adoga (for Onwudiwe); Mr. E. I Efeme (for Madubugwu) and Mr. Maxwell Okpara (for Nwaiwusi) argued their separate bail applications, all of which were opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran.
The prosecution’s argument against setting the four men free is that they would constitute a threat to national security if released on bail pending the conclusion of their trial.
But the defence counsels urged the judge to dismiss the prosecution counsel’s argument against their clients as the particulars (provided by the prosecution) of how the defendants would constitute national security are not substantial enough.
Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest was due to broadcasts on Radio Biafra, during which he allegedly agitated for the secession from Nigeria, states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to constitute a Republic of Biafra.
