By Bashir Aliyu
The Federal Government has filed an amended seven-count terrorism charge against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
They contained all allegations against the IPOB leader that were earlier sustained by the trial court.
he Court of Appeal had also discharged him of all the charges. Also, an appeal on the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
However, a report by Vanguard, said in the freshly amended charge, the federal government specifically alleged that Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS), had as a member of an unlawful group, in a broadcast that was received and heard across Nigeria, issued a deadly threat that anyone who flouted his sit-at-home order in the South Eastern part of the country, should write his or her will.
It told the court that as a result of the threat; Banks, Schools, Markets, Shopping Malls, and Fuel Stations domiciled in the Eastern States of Nigeria, have continued to shut down their businesses, with citizens and vehicular movements grounded.
The charge further alleged that Kanu had on different dates between 2018 and 2021, made broadcasts that were received and heard in Nigeria, inciting members of 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.
It also alleged that Kanu directed members of the IPOB “to manufacture Bombs”, adding that the defendant had between the month of March and April 2015, “Imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, a Radio Transmitter known as Tram 50L concealed in a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 47 (2) (a) of Criminal Code Act Cap, C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.
