The Federal Government yesterday began the trial of four men earlier charged with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on offence of treasonable felony.
The four, some of who are IPOB members – Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwidiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi – were yesterday arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a three-count amended charge.
Upon request by parties, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, agreed to a separate trial of the four owing to the sudden disappearance of Kanu, who was earlier listed as first defendant in the old charge.
At their arraignment yesterday, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charge, following which the prosecution lawyer, Shuiabu Labaran, sought a brief adjournment to enable him open his case.
Defence lawyers objected to a brief adjournment. The lawyers said they were served with the amended charge the previous day and required sufficient time to consult with their clients.
They also sought the transfer of the clients from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison, Abuja.
Justice Nyako allowed the defence lawyers one hour to discuss with the clients in court.
She said the trial would not be secret one as being misinterpreted, but that it was only the identity of witnesses that would be protected from the public.
The judge adjourned to tomorrow for the prosecution to open its case.
The three counts, to which Chimezie, Onwidiwe, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi pleaded, read:
“That you, Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwidiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Nnamdi Kanu (at large), in 2014 and 2015, in Nigeria and London, conspired to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of the court, for states in the South-East and South-South zones, and other communities in Kogi and Benue states, to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constitute same into a Republic of Biafra, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C77 of 2004.
“That you, Bright Chimezie and one Nnamdi Kanu, now at large, between March and April, 2015, imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of the court, a radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L, concealed in a container of used household items, which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C77 of 2004.
“That you, Benjamin Madubugwu, sometimes in October 2015, had in your possession, in your house at Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, one Emerald Magnum Pump Action gun and one Delta Magnum Pump Action gun as well as 41 cartridges/ammunition without lawful authority or licence, an offence contrary to Section 27c (b) (1) of firearms Act, Act. F28 of the laws of Nigeria.
