 |
| Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of IPOB [Photo Credit:
Pulse.ng] |
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of banned separatist
group the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been arrested and is in
Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to face trial, a spokesman for the justice minister said
on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
Intercepted on June 27, Channels Television
reports that Kanu is expected to be re-arraigned
before the Federal High Court for the continuation of his trial, an information
made known at a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday by the Attorney-General of the
Federation, Abubakar Malami.
According to Mr Malami, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Federal Government’s application to detain the IPOB leader in a DSS facility ahead of the continuation of his trial.
Recall that Mr Kanu, who has charges of
treasonable felony pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja, fled
Nigeria in September 2017. As such, his whereabouts had been unknown since he
failed to appear at previous court hearings after being granted bail. A judge
had ordered his arrest in March 2019.
According to Premium Times Mr Kanu fled
the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in
Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State.
Since then, according to Channels
Television Kanu he has been sighted in Israel and has continued to rally his
supporters in Nigeria to employ violence in achieving secession.
According to the report, Mr Kanu has
repeatedly called for the breakaway of a significant chunk of southern Nigeria to
form the Republic of Biafra.He is expected to face charges of treason in court.
On October 2015, he was arrested by Nigerian authorities on an 11-count charge
bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society,
publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper
importation of goods, among others.” He was granted bail on April 2017 for
medical reasons.
At a joint press briefing on Tuesday with
the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja, Mr Malami disclosed that
international collaborative efforts with security agencies led to Mr Kanu’s
arrest and repatriation to Nigeria.
Below is the full text of Mr Malami’s
speech at the press conference in Abuja as earlier published by Channels
Television:
Text of Press Conference on Tuesday 29th
June, 2021 by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN on the Interception of Fugitive Nnamdi Kanu back
to Nigeria to face trial
Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed
secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been through
the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.
He has been brought back to Nigeria in
order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11
count charge against him.
Recent steps taken by the Federal
Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday the 27th day
of June, 2021.
Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu,
born 25th day of September, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State is a holder of
Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued 17th October 2013 at FESTAC,
Lagos.
It is recalled that Kanu was arrested on
14th October, 2015 on 11 count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable
felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal
possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.
A judge at the Federal High Court, Abuja
revoked Kanu’s bail that was granted him on health ground and issued a bench
warrant for his arrest on the same date, over his failure to appear in court
for hearing.
He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of
engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through
television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and
institutions.
Kanu was also accused of instigating
violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of
lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and
destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.
Abubakar Malami, SAN
Attorney General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice
29th June, 2021.
No comments:
Post a Comment