Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB), has faulted the fresh terrorism charge filed by the
federal government against the separatist leader.
The federal government added eight counts to the previous
terrorism charges filed against Kanu.
In October 2021, the IPOB leader was arraigned on a
seven-count charge but he will now face a 15-count charge bordering on
terrorism.
Kanu is expected to appear in court today for the
continuation of his trial.
Reacting to the fresh terrorism charge, Ejiofor, in a
statement, said the federal government is scouting for an opportunity to
truncate the court proceedings today.
The lead counsel said the amended charge is the “worst kind
of abuse of legal process”, adding that it was aimed at “needlessly prolonging
proceedings in the cause”.
“This is indeed a joke taken too far as the Federal
Government of Nigeria (FGN) is now scouting for an opportunity to truncate
tomorrow’s proceeding, knowing fully well that the smokescreen charge is dead
on arrival,” the statement reads.
“We wish to
categorically point out with dismay, that this further amended charge is the
worst kind of abuse of legal process that we have encountered in the history of
legal practice – either in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.
“This 15-count amended charge was no doubt brought in bad
faith and is aimed at needlessly prolonging proceedings in the cause. The same
FGN that brought our client to court is needlessly initiating processes that
will delay the trial.
“It is worthy to note that an amended 7-count charge had
earlier been filed against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu since October 2021,
pursuant to which a preliminary objection was raised against this 7-count
amended charge.
“The parties have fully filed and exchanged processes and
arguments on the objection, and the same has been set down for hearing.
“Brazenly, a day
before the hearing date, and without affording the court the opportunity to
listen to arguments on the objection, and take a decision on the objection
raised one way or the other.
“The prosecution, in utter bad faith, filed a further
amended charge to supercede and supplant the earlier amended charge on which
issues have been joined on the objection raised against it. This is indeed, the
worst kind of abuse of court process.
“Although the prosecution has the liberty to amend a charge,
it cannot exercise that prerogative to abuse the process of the court, or to
supplant an objection that has been raised against an earlier amendment, which
has not been decided on, or to overreach the defence, or to render nugatory or
as a fait accompli, the decision of the court on a pending preliminary
objection against an amended charge that is yet to be determined.
“Nevertheless, we herein assure UmuChineke that we have
already devised a solution to every of their antics, it will only end in court,
they can only run thus far. We therefore, urge you all to await the legal
fireworks in court tomorrow. There must be light at the end of the tunnel.”
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