Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to all 15 counts of terrorism brought against him by the federal government.
Meanwhile, Kanu filed a preliminary objection on Tuesday, questioning the charge’s competence as well as the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
According to the defendant, the new charges filed against him are without merit and cannot stand up to the scrutiny of the law, and thus should be dismissed.
Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Kanu’s lead lawyer, revealed this shortly after Kanu’s arraignment and not guilty plea.
Also read: Arraignment Of IPOB Leader Stalled Following Amendment of Charge
Despite the fact that the prosecution’s lawyer, Mr. Shuaib Labaran, had moved to begin the trial, stating that the prosecution was prepared and that there was a preponderance of evidence brought to court to prove their case, Ozekhome argued that trial could not begin until the defendant’s application to quash the charge was heard and decided.
In response, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, agreed with Ozekhome’s position and scheduled a hearing on February 16 in the application challenging the charge’s competence.
Details later.
