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Biafra: Kanu, Others Ask Court To Quash Treason Charge
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, queried the competence of the 11-count treason charge the Federal Government entered against him and three other pro-Biafra agitators.
Kanu and his co-defendants, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, contended that there was nothing in the proof of evidence to support the treason charge against them.
They urged trial Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash all the charges against them.
The defendants made the application on a day the Federal Government was to open its case against them by producing witnesses to testify before the court.
Besides, Kanu and his co-accused persons further sought leave of the trial court to appeal against the December 1, 2016, ruling that denied them bail.
Sequel to the application, Justice Nyako deferred trial of the defendants till tomorrow to enable Federal Government to file its response.
Earlier, Justice Nyako ordered security operatives to always grant the defendants access to their lawyers.
The order followed complaint by counsel to the defendants led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, that security operatives at Kuje prison often block them from having access to their clients.
Ejiofor further alleged that some persons that went to visit Kanu sometime last year were arrested and killed by security operatives.
Government lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran, refuted the allegation, which he said was just being brought to his attention for the first time.
Meanwhile, scores of Kanu’s supporters stormed the court premises yesterday chanting pro-Biafra songs, with most of them dressed in Jewish apparels.
It would be recalled that Kanu had on December 12, threatened that he would in the course of the trial, expose secrets he said would sink Nigeria.
Charges against the defendants border on reasonable felony and their alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.
The defendants had earlier alleged plot by the Federal Government to import foreigners to testify against them.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.