The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 10 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanuhttps://www.naijanews.com/topic/nnamdi-kanu/, who is standing trial on terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice James Omotosho will decide whether to uphold Kanu’s request for dismissal of the charges or compel him to enter a defence.
During Friday’s hearing, the prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo, urged the court to reject the no-case submission and order Kanu to open his defence.
Awomolo argued that the government had presented sufficient evidence, including video and audio recordings, to warrant a full trial. He insisted Kanu must explain his alleged role in inciting acts of terrorism that led to violence, destruction of property, and the deaths of at least 170 security personnel.
He said, “The court must consider the panoramic view of the evidence presented so far. “The prosecution has called five witnesses and tendered several exhibits that establish the elements of the offences. We urge the court to dismiss the no-case submission.”
However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Godwin Agabi (SAN), argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
“All the prosecution has done is to paint a picture that the defendant is a bad man,” Agabi said.
He contended that none of NAIJAONPOINT es testified that they were incited to commit violence as a result of Kanu’s statements.
“This man (Kanu) can boast. He said, ‘I could bring the world to a standstill.’ I don’t see anything wrong with that. You don’t prosecute a man for mere boasting,” the senior lawyer argued.
In a further attempt to discredit the charges, Agabi told the court that the DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, and former Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma, had both, at different times, advised Nigerians to defend themselves against attacks, similar to what Kanu allegedly said.
“The defendant merely urged the people to defend themselves. If that’s a crime, then many others are guilty too,” Agabi maintained.