Biafra: FG says Kanu is threat to national security

fresh application before the Federal High Court in
Abuja, seeking immediate revocation of the bail
granted to leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,
IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Nnamdi Kanu
FG, predicated the application on section 169 and
173(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,
2015.
Describing Kanu as a threat to national security, FG
insisted that he has mortgaged his personal liberty,
haven engaged in several acts it said were capable
of sparking civil unrest and anarchy in the country.
Aside asking the court to void the bail it gave the
IPOB leader on April 25, FG, further applied for an
order “directing the arrest and committing of the 1st
defendant to custody pending trial”.
Kanu is facing treasonable felony charge alongside
four other pro-Biafra agitators-Chidiebere Onwudiwe,
Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright
Chimezie.
The defendants are expected to enter fresh plea to
the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015,
before trial Justice Binta Nyako, on October 17.
Whereas the original charge had only four
defendants, with Kanu as the 1st accused person,
FG, through the Department of Public Prosecutions,
Federal Ministry of Justice, amended the case to
include Chimezie who was alleged to have between
the months of March and April, 2015, imported into
Nigeria, a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L.
FG alleged that the transmitter was concealed in a
container that was declared as used household
items, contrary to section 47(2) (a) of the Criminal
Code Act, Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria, 2004.
Meantime, FG, in the application it filed on Friday, a
copy of which was made available to Vanguard by
the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister
of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, adduced
reasons why Kanu should be arrested before his next
trial date.
According to FG, “The 1st Defendant is standing trial
for alleged offences of conspiracy to commit acts of
treasonable felony, treasonable felony and other
related offences before this Honourable Court.
“That the offence for which he is standing trial is
not ordinarily bailable.
“That due to the magnanimity of this Honourable
court and its quest for justice and fairness he was
granted bail on health grounds on 25th April, 2017.
That among other conditions for the bail of the 1st
defendant is that he should not be seen in a crowd
exceeding 10 people.
“And that he should not grant any interviews, hold or
attend any rallies.
“And that he should file in court medical updates of
his health status every month.
“That rather than observing all of the conditions
listed above, the 1st defendant in flagrant
disobedience to the court order flouted all
conditions of the bail.
“The first defendant has in furtherance to the
offence he was charged, inaugurated Biafra Security
Service.
“That such an act is a grave threat to national
security and unity of the country.
“That the grounds mentioned above constitute
special circumstances hence this application.
“That this court has the power to grant this
application”, it added.
More so, in a 12 paragraphed affidavit that was
deposed to by one Loveme Odubo, a litigation clerk
in the Office of the DPP, FG maintained that Kanu
had “in flagrant disobedience to the court order
flouted all conditions given by the court”.
It told the court that Kanu held a rally at his
residence in his hometown Afara-UkwuIbeku in
Umuahia, Abia State.
“That the said rally with a crowd exceeding 10
persons was captured in a video published on the 1st
June 2017 and circulated throughout the length and
breadth of Nigeria and beyond through the internet
platform of YouTube;
“That the YouTube video was download and is
attached to this affidavit and marked NK1. That a
certificate; Identifying the CD ROM containing the
video and describing the manner in which it was
produced; Giving such particular of any device
involved in the production of that CD ROM as may
be appropriate for the purpose of showing that the
CD ROM was produced by a computer;
“It was signed by a person occupying a responsible
position in relation to the operation of the relevant
device.
“That the said rally was not held in a synagogue but
at the residence of the 1st defendant on Friday
evening May 26th, 2017 and ended on Saturday May
27th, 2017;
“That the rally was tagged “the holy day of Shabbat”
to pray for the restoration of “Biafra state”;
“That the 1st defendant equally incited his members
to disrupt, disallow and boycott elections in south
East Sates, starting with Anambra State
Gubernatorial Election schedule for November 18,
2017, if the Federal Government failed to hold
referendum for the realisation of the state of Biafra;
“That the 1st defendant’s address published by
vanguard online news, dated June 23, 2017is also
attached to this affidavit and marked exhibit NK2;
“That the bail granted the defendant/applicant was
to enable him go and take care of his health and not
for any other purpose;
“That instead of the 1st Defendant to use the
opportunity to attend to his health need, he has in
furtherance of the offence charged, inaugurated a
security outfit known as Biafra Security Service
(BSS);
“That his action is a serious threat to security of this
country as well as a threat to national unity.
“That from the deposition in the affidavit in support
of this application, it is clear that the essence of the
bail granted the 1st defendant/applicant is defeated.
“That it will serve the best interest of justice to
grant this application as the 1st Defendant/
Respondent will not be prejudiced”.
FG’s application came barely 24 hours after a
coalition of Arewa Youths called for Kanu’s arrest,
after they withdrew the controversial notice for Igbo
to quit the northern region before October 1.

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