Again, Separatist Biafra nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Friday, pleaded not guilty to 7 count terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
The charges were among the initial 14
count charges filed by the federal government before justice Binta Nyako in 2015. She struck out eight count charges before the matter went on appeal at Court of Appeal Abuja.
In its decision, Court of Appeal freed Kanu when it discharged and acquitted him.But federal government appealed against that decision at the Supreme Court and obtained an order that stay the execution of Court of Appeal judgement.
In its final judgment, Supreme Court overruled the Court of Appeal decision by setting aside it’s judgement. It held that Kanu should be tried on the remaining seven count.
Friday arraignment was conducted at the federal high court in Abuja before Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, a new trial judge on the matter amid water tight security provided by operatives of the Department of the State Service DSS.
Upon the reading of the 7-count charges one after the other, Kanu who dressed in his usual white sports wears denied the accusations of threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence and operating illegal radio station to broadcast the Biafra messages.
After the plea, the federal government counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN announced to the court his readiness to conduct prosecution in line with the spirit and letters of the Supreme Court that ordered fresh trial.
He asked for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses and also applied for accelerated hearing which was granted by the court.
Based on the request and having not objected by the defence counsel led by Kanu Agabi SAN, Justice James Kolawole Omotosho fixed April 29 and May 2 and 6, 2025 for full blown trial.
Kanu, who was brought back to the country in June 2021 from Kenya had since been in the custody of the DSS on the order of court, also conceded to speedy trial of the charges against him.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had, in a letter dated March 4, 2025 and addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, communicated the re-assignment of the case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho.
The re-assignment followed the demand by Kanu and his team of lawyers for the transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to another judge after alleging bias.
Justice Nyako, on September 24, 2024, withdrew herself from the case and sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment.
The judge said she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who has been elevated to Appeal Court and Justice Tsoho (before becoming the CJ) had presided over Kanu’s trial before it was assigned to Justice Nyako, following the defendant’s rejection of the two judges.
Kanu’ trial has been plagued by several delays , judicial recusals, appeals and controversy. The leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra People of Biafra ,IPOB, was twice denied bail after
by Justice Binta Nyako.
Kanu’ Agabi a senior lawyer and former Attorney General of federation on Friday led his team of defence.
Kanu apologised to justice Binta Nyako who had recused herself and the prosecution Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, and Kanu’s lawyer Alloy Ejimakor for past courtroom outburst by the defendant,
Kanus re -arraignment marked four separate time has been arraigned before four justices .
Justice Omotosho on Friday adjourned the matter to April 29, May 2 and May 6 ,2025 for trial.