Treasonable Felony: Nnamdi Kanu pleads to 15-count charge

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), has pleaded not guilty to the 15 charges brought against him by the Federal Government in the case of alleged treasonable felony.

He pleaded not guilty before Justice Binta Nyako when the case resumed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Federal Government had filed fresh terrorism charges against the detained IPOB leader before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

The action increased the initial counts bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism against Kanu from seven to 15.

But during his trial on Tuesday which was held amid heavy security presence, Kanu objected to the fresh charges.

The case was then adjourned till Wednesday for him to take his plea.

Contrary to the order of Justice Binta Nyako, Kanu showed up before the court, wearing the same designers clothes he has been wearing since June last year when he was arrested.

Justice Nyako had on Tuesday, ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to allow Kanu to have a change of cloth.

When the matter was called up, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that he (Kanu) was the one who chose to wear his designer clothes.

He added that the DSS has provided Kanu with a new Orthopedic mattress, pillows, and blankets.

In response, Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, told the court that it was not true that his client insisted on wearing his designer clothes as it was not his visiting day on Tuesday so, fresh clothes couldn’t be passed to him.

He added that clothes will be passed to him on his next visiting day.

He, however, commended the DSS for providing the IPOB leader with new mattresses and pillows.

Before allowing Kanu to be re-arraigned on the amended 15-count treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against him, Justice Nyako reiterated her demand for the defendant to have a change of clothes.

Kanu, thereafter, entered his plea to the fresh amended charge against him which borders on his alleged commission of acts of terrorism, felony, incitement, unlawful importation of a radio transmitter, and headship of an illegal organization.

Before Kanu was ushered into the courtroom around 10:15 am, the DSS had produced several documentary pieces of evidence, including electronic devices it would use to play some of the alleged inciting broadcasts that were made by the defendant.

(Channels TV)