FG files fresh charges against Nnamdi Kanu

On Monday, Justice Binta Nyako set a hearing date for Nnamdi Kanu's legal team and the Federal Government's prosecution team to address the court regarding the ongoing legal dispute between the Federal Government and the head of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who is prohibited from holding political office.

After the jailed head of IPOB was charged with seven new counts of terrorism by the federal government, this occurred.

All previous proven charges against the IPOB leader were included in the amended charge, FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, which was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

It is debatable whether the FG may proceed to re-arrest the IPOB leader on the revised charges in spite of the October 13 ruling due to the altered charges.

Kanu had been cleared by the Court of Appeals of all charges and appeals related to the case that were still pending before the Supreme Court.

However, the FG claimed in the newly updated accusations that Kanu had made a lethal threat via a broadcast that was heard and received throughout the nation, warning anyone who violated his command to stay at home in the south-eastern states to make a will.

Additionally, it claimed that the broadcast's effects had led to the closure of gasoline stations, marketplaces, retail centers, banks, and schools in the eastern parts of the nation, which had an adverse impact on the lives of the locals and slowed down vehicle traffic.

The Federal Government further alleged that the IPOB leader had between 2018 and 2021, made inciting broadcasts, received and heard in Nigeria, instigating the public to hunt and kill Nigerian security personnel and their family members, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Furthermore, the FG alleged that Kanu had, between the March and April 2015, imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, a radio transmitter known as Tram 50L, concealed in a container of used household items, thereby, committing an offence contrary to section 47 (2) (a) of Criminal Code Act Cap, C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, adding that he also directed members of IPOB “to manufacture bombs.