The Federal Government has withdrawn the newly amended charge against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, Kanu had been denied a bail application by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on the grounds that his absence in the past, since 2017, should be determined, before a bail application, would be entertained.
Upon withdrawal of the newly amended charges by the FG, the Federal High Court struck out the charges preferred against Nnamdi Kanu
This came after Mike Ozekhome complained to the court that the prosecution was trying to delay processes by continuous amendment of the charge against his client.
Ozekhome also told the court that this is the seventh time the Federal government was amending its charge.
Justice Nyako agreed with Ozekhome’s submission stating that Kanu is not expected to take a plea on those newly amended charges immediately, as he needs time to digest them before doing so.
Earlier, the Federal government had intended to Re-arraign Nnamdi Kanu on amended six-count of treasonable felony charges listing his lawyers as accomplices.
The amendment came on a day the trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako fixed to hear an application Kanu filed to be released on bail, pending the determination of the charge against him.
A member of Kanu’s legal team, who craved anonymity, says the FG had in the amended charge, listed some lawyers representing the embattled IPOB leader, including Misters Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara, as accomplices of the defendant.
It is gathered that the FG alleged that the said lawyers, were constantly in contact with Kanu after he jumped bail and fled the country.
Justice Binta Nyako had on April 8, struck out eight out of the 15-count treasonable felony FG preferred against Kanu.
Justice Nyako held that the charges were mere repetitions that did not disclose any offence that could be sustained by the proof of evidence before the court.
Scenes from the court showed Kanu, his lawyer Mike Ozekhome and supporters in triumphant celebration over the amendment.
FG had in the counts that were struck out, purported that Kanu had through his broadcasts, incited members of the public to not only stage a violent revolution but to attack police officers and also destroy public facilities in Lagos State.
▪︎ By Channels Television