By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
Barely 24 hours, the Federal Government has withdrawn an amended six-count charge it filed against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The prosecuting lawyer, D.E. Kaswe, withdrew the charge during Wednesday’s proceedings in the trial of Mr Kanu on terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja,
The amended charge which had listed two of Mr Kanu’s lawyers – Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara – as “accomplices” in the terrorism-related case, was withdrawn following objection from Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome.
Mr Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said he was served with two “hefty” court papers (the amended charge) on Tuesday (May 17), 24 hours to Wednesday’s proceedings.
Mr Ozekhome while struggling to wave the court documents in buttressing his argument told the judge, “we were only served with two heft volumes of the amended charge just yesterday (Tuesday). and my client has not even seen the charges, yet the prosecution wants him to take his plea?”
Responding, the judge said, “I’m seeing my own amended charge this morning. I did not know that there is an amended charge, you (prosecution) will not foist the amended charges on us like that.”
Based on this, Mr Kaswe withdrew the newly filed charge, leaving the case with the seven-count that was validated by the judge on April 8.
“I am withdrawing the amended charge to allow today’s proceedings to go on,” the prosecuting lawyer said.
