We’ll lay to rest the 7-count charge against Nnamdi Kanu —Legal team

•Blame Simon Ekpa’s group for forcefully enforcing sit-at-home in S-East —IPOB

By Chioma Gabriel & Chinonso Alozie, ABUJA

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has gone to court to challenge the practice direction of the Federal High Court which ordered that his trial be done in secret.

He asked the court to declare that the provisions of Order III of the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, were already the subject of Section 36 (4)(a) and (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and consequently, inoperative and outrightly ultra vires.

This came as leader of a splinter group in IPOB, Simon Ekpa, has rejected calls to put an end of the Monday sit-at-home order to protest the continued detention of Kanu.

Kanu , in the originating summons filed by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, asked the court to declare it “invalid, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and its Chief Registrar were listed as defendants in the suit which processes were obtained by journalists yesterday.

Justice John Tsoho had released a new practice direction for the trial of terrorism cases before the court.

The cases of Nnamdi Kanu, Bureau de Change operators indicted over sponsorship of terrorism, and Boko Haram suspects are currently before the court.

Justice Tsoho said the new practice direction was in the exercise of his constitutional powers as enshrined in Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Under the new arrangement, the court said media coverage of proceedings is strictly prohibited.

“Coverage of proceedings under these practice directions is strictly prohibited, save as may be directed by the court. A person who contravenes an order or direction made under these practices shall be deemed to have committed an offence contrary to Section 34(5) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended,” the document stated.

The IPOB leader also wants an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants , whether by themselves, servants, agents, privies, and all other officers and agents of the Federal High Court of Nigeria from applying and enforcing the provisions of the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022.

Others reliefs were “A declaration that the failure of the 1st defendant to first seek and obtain the approval of the Federal Executive Council (or the National Council of Ministers) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prior to enacting the Federal High Court Practice Directions (on Trials of Terrorism Cases), 2022, as required by Section 44 of the Federal High Court Act renders the Federal High Court Practice Direction (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, ultra vires, null and void.

“A declaration that Order III Rules 3(b) and (d) of the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trials of Terrorism Cases) 2022, which respectively empower a Federal High Court trying terrorism cases “to receive evidence by video link, and to receive written deposition of expert witness” are inconsistent with Items 23 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List as well as Paragraph 2(b) of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution which confers on the National Assembly the exclusive power to make rules of evidence, both substantive and adjectival and are therefore ultra vires, null and void to the extent of the inconsistency

“A declaration that Order IV Rule 2 of the Federal High Court Practice Direction (on Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, which provides that a person who contravenes an order or direction made under these Directions shall be deemed to have committed an offence contrary to Section 34(5) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, (as amended) is inoperative because the National Assembly had already covered the field vide Section 34(5) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, as amended.

“A declaration that the rule-making powers of the 1st Defendant under Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, is limited to the premises of the Federal High Court and do not extend to outside its perimeters, which are under the exclusive responsibility of law enforcement agencies such as the Police, DSS, etc.

“An order of this Honorable court declaring the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, unconstitutional, ultra vires, invalid, null, void, and of no effect.”

We’ll lay to rest 7-count charge against Nnamdi Kanu —Legal Team

Also yesterday, the legal team of the Kanu said it would explore compelling legal processes to finally lay to rest the remaining 7-count charge still pending at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the IPOB leader.

The IPOB lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, after the legal team visited Kanu at the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, yesterday.

Ejiofor said it was part of the interaction they had with Kanu, at the DSS detention centre.

He said: “The routine Court-Ordered visit to our indefatigable client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu , has just been concluded. We had an incisive review of compelling legal processes we are exploring to ensure that the remaining 7-count charge still pending is permanently laid to rest.

“Onyendu extends his heartfelt gratitude to all UmuChineke for remaining steadfast and undeterred. He is, as usual, profoundly impressed by your demonstration of uncommon discipline, unity, understanding, loyalty, and forthrightness.

“Onyendu observed that this trying phase is on the verge of extinction and the name of ChukwuOkike Abiama will be eternally glorified. Onyendu emphasized vigilance, particularly in times like this, and highly commended you all for your peaceful conduct, even in the face of seemingly unprovoked attacks. He encouraged you all to always be on guard, even in your prayers and supplications to the Almighty ChukwuOkike Abiama.”

Blame Simon Ekpa’s group for forcibly enforcing sit-at-home in S-East —IPOB

Meanwhile, the move by governors of the South East to stem the spate of killings and economic destruction in the zone has not been successful.

Finland- based Simon Ekpa, a former disciple of Nnamdi Kanu and the self-proclaimed leader of a splinter IPOB group, has rejected calls for an end to the sit-at-home order by governors in the South East, the latest being Professor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State.

The new group, led by Simon Ekpa, has opposed the IPOB order cancelling the sit-at-home in southeast states and has continued to instil fear in the minds of residents of the South East, with violent enforcement of its version of the sit-at-home, leading to deaths of scores, burning of vehicles, shops, law enforcement agents and electoral officials.

IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful in a statement alleged: “It is certain Simon Ekpa and his gang called Autopilots are carrying out threats against people’s lives because of non-existent Monday sit-at-home. These people disturbing the peace of our people are not IPOB members. IPOB doesn’t shed blood. We are a peaceful movement.”

He maintained:“We wish to reiterate, once again, that IPOB has cancelled the Monday sit-at-home order, and anybody or group enforcing it is neither from us nor our volunteer group. Any governor in the region who deems it fit to stop the non-existent Monday sit-at-home order in the region is free to do so.

“Anyone caught adding to the pain of our people in the name of enforcing Monday sit-at-home order will be treated like the enemy that he or she is.

“We therefore, warn these agents of darkness using the name of the IPOB to enforce a non-existent sit-at-home to desist.

“Why should such unpatriotic elements be inflicting pain on our people and dragging our image to the mud? The IPOB remains a non-violent movement and our peaceful approach to Biafra restoration has not changed.

It will be recalled that the IPOB leadership called for the Monday sit-at-home and the same people cancelled it.

“Nobody was given the mandate to enforce the same suspended sit-at-home using the name of the IPOB. The only day the sit-at-home will be observed in Biafra land is when our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is appearing in court; and we shall, as usual, make it public for all to know.”

Recall that Governor Soludo on March 25, warned civil servants not to comply with the sit-at-home order on Mondays, while appealing to the Autopilots to lay down their arms and embrace rehabilitation. He declared amnesty for all armed groups in the zone, while pledging to lead other governors in the zone to seek an amicable resolution of the crisis.

Ekpa’s group, however, rejected all the declarations and pledges.

A statement by the Head of Service of Anambra State, Theodora Igwegbe read: “Following the need to reposition the service for better performance and productivity, Prof Charles Soludo has directed that all public servants should henceforth report to their places of work on Mondays as they do on other workdays.”

But Ekpa, on the same March 25, twitted through his handle, @simon_ekpa, “Soludo’s directive to civil servant (sic) in Anambra is dead on arrival. He should ask other governors. Obiano went to the street as a town crier (sic) to no avail. We are warning Soludo not to use his overzealousness to endanger the lives (sic) of our women and children as the Department of State Services (DSS) are killing them.”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/terrorism-charge-nnamdi-kanu-rejects-secret-trial-heads-to-court/?fbclid=IwAR0Jj-bZgE5z0P0cfHs8XkFMnJfcGwKMeaQm3S78-QZQForj2OTOzZn9G6A

Forget all these shiits.

Lamidi kwanu the ohamadickhead fvcktard ain't leaving the cage anytime soon.

At least not in this century.

Sit at home just begin tie wrapper
FREE MAZI NNAMDI KANU OR NO ELECTIONS

him matter don even start to tire igbos sef....

how can you be openin your mouth wawawawa and let yourself get caught....

thats silly....

Chei. I fear Nigerian media, I swear. No wonder mazi Nnamdi kanu said if u give Nigerian journalists money, they can report the good of Satan. Imagine calling Simon ekpa a former disciple of mnk and claiming the sit @ home is being enforced and ekpa splinter group has killed many. God will punish all of u for this lies. Even this ejiofor is beginning to sound like a compromised motherfucker.

LeoDeKing:
Forget all these shiits.

Lamidi kwanu the ohamadickhead fvcktard ain't leaving the cage anytime soon.

At least not in this century.

There is no peace while he is in the cage but you want him to remain the cage

[s]

gidgiddy:


There is no peace while he is in the cage but you want him to remain the cage

[/s]
How is sitting at home in the east affecting my peace in Lagos?

He should remain in the cage jor.

gidgiddy:


There is no peace while he is in the cage but you want him to remain the cage

We are not complaining about the location of the chaos resulting from his perpetual incarceration in the zoo cage.

He can perish there for all we care. Simon Ekpa is doing a fantastic job of keeping ipob alive and well. Any idiot who isn't happy with that can go rot in hell.

LeoDeKing:
[s][/s]
How is sitting at home in the east affecting my peace in Lagos?

He should remain in the cage jor.

That one na only sawdust him carry for head, age notwithstanding.

Sometimes I wish Wike could even become the next president, then they'd know the true meaning of treason and terrorism and how those charged for it deserve to be treated.

Wike would feed the demented demagogue to pyranas in the brackish wasters of Niger Delta without trial and NOTHING will happen. If dem too make noise for social media sef, him go make sure dem collect for real life.

tsdarkside:
him matter don even start to tire igbos sef....

That's what you wish right ? Make Nigeria conduct referendum if e sure Nigeria

omenka:
That one na only sawdust him carry for head, age notwithstanding.

A whole human being?

omenka:
We are not complaining about the location of the chaos resulting from his perpetual incarceration in the zoo cage.

He can perish there for all we care. Simon Ekpa is doing a fantastic job of keeping ipob alive and well. Any idiot who isn't happy with that can go rot in hell.

He may perish in there, but there still wont be any peace

omenka:
That one na only sawdust him carry for head, age notwithstanding.

Sometimes I wish Wike could even become the next president, then they'd know the true meaning of treason and terrorism and how those charged for it deserve to be treated.

Wike would feed the demented demagogue to pyranas in the brackish wasters of Niger Delta without trial and NOTHING will happen. If dem too make noise for social media sef, him go make sure dem collect for real life.

Personally, I also nurse that feeling sometimes. Wike as a president, I swear no single human dares identify with any terrorist organisation.

As for kwanu already in the cage, that one is a goner because wouldn't think twice before executing the bastard.

[s]

omenka:
That one na only sawdust him carry for head, age notwithstanding.

Sometimes I wish Wike could even become the next president, then they'd know the true meaning of treason and terrorism and how those charged for it deserve to be treated.

Wike would feed the demented demagogue to pyranas in the brackish wasters of Niger Delta without trial and NOTHING will happen. If dem too make noise for social media sef, him go make sure dem collect for real life.

[/s]
Trash

mrvitalis:

That's what you wish right ? Make Nigeria conduct referendum if e sure Nigeria

....

LeoDeKing:
[s][/s]
How is sitting at home in the east affecting my peace in Lagos?

He should remain in the cage jor.

they are already startin to forget him their sef....

i heared not many south east states takes sit at home serious sef....and the rest are startin to challendge it with nigerian police and army....

jerseyboy:
Sit at home just begin tie wrapper
FREE MAZI NNAMDI KANU OR NO ELECTIONS

Weather una do election for East or not, na the North go install all Political leaders in the East. Just as we recently did in Anambra and Imo States

LeoDeKing:
Forget all these shiits.

Lamidi kwanu the ohamadickhead fvcktard ain't leaving the cage anytime soon.

At least not in this century.

Dude! You’ve been noted on more than one occasion to bleat on about how whatever Ndigbo, Mazi Kanu or IPOB do is none of your business! You could have fooled me! It’s like you have some kind of software installed on your device that alerts you when a topic concerning Ndigbo and Biafra, sit-at-home, Mazi Kanu or IPOB is created! The way you rush like Usain Bolt to grab first-to-comment, only to spew the usual crap….feigning disinterest in affairs that nobody wants your opinion on one way or the other….all this would have been laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic!

Get a life and stop pokenosing into what doesn’t concern you!

[s]

IGBOSON1:


Dude! You’ve been noted on more than one occasion to bleat on about how whatever Ndigbo, Mazi Kanu or IPOB does is none of your business! You could have fooled me! It’s like you have some kind of software installed on your device that alerts you when a topic concerning Ndigbo and Biafra, sit-at-home, Mazi Kanu or IPOB is created! The way you rush like Usain Bolt to grab first-to-comment, only to spew the usual crap….feigning disinterest in affairs that nobody wants your opinion on one way or the other….all this would have been laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic!

Get a life and stop pokenosing into what doesn’t concern you!

[/s]
This is public forum!!!

Yes, that's what your ilk always say when asked to mind their businesses.

So Mr, pls excuse me, this is a public forum.

Sharia don wear hijab

gidgiddy:


He may perish in there, but there still wont be any peace

In South East. Who cares?

See how most of the comments on this thread are by the very same bigoted bastards that despise Igbos’, yet they’re here with their crocodile tears wanting to cry more than the bereaved!

None of them are bothered or want to question the Ekpa dolt on his threats to south-east gov’ts and peoples since they claim to be all about lawfulness and order! These scum actually support Ekpa, and that should tell you exactly what’s going on! Coupled with the fact that their darling Buhari gov’t, that was prepared to go to the ends of the world to kidnap and silence Mazi Kanu, seem awfully quiet on Ekpa despite all his threats….another pointer that explains exactly what’s going on here!

I’ve said before….that these threats, harassments and murders aimed at trying to sustain the Monday sit-at-home are being tele-guided and driven by northern elements with ties to the hegemony and Aso Rock! Their aim is to try and paint IPOB as ‘terrorist’ and ‘criminals’ in the eyes of the int’l community and Ndigbo, as well as to try and inflict as much damage as they can on the south-east economy! These are the sort of animals that will love to see a Soludo admin’ fail in Anambra, and this is why you see them screaming support for sit-at-home….anything to make life difficult for him is welcome as far as they are concerned!

They care not about the wasting of Igbo lives and spilling of Igbo blood, so long as those ‘nyamurees’ have the temerity to try and dagbaru their ATM that is ‘one Nigeria’ with their demand for secession….let the murders and insecurity go on as far as they are concerned! Go check their comments on the thread regarding the recent tragedy in Imo due to illegal refineries! The way they make light of the issue and abuse Igbos’ will make you sick to your stomach! These are the same people i’m told are ‘fellow compatriots’! Any Igbo that still feels Nigeria is a safe country to live in (esp’ as a Igbo) and bring up his kids….any Igbo that still feels comfortable sharing the same country with the Fulani and Yoruba…..and any Igbo that still feels he and his kids stand equal chance in national politics and business with the Fulani and Yoruba that are both in agreement on Igbo subjugation and hate (admittedly, the Yoruba that think this way are in the minority)….such a Nwafor needs a reality check! If Nigeria still exists 20 years from now, they will still be using the Nzeogwu coup and what Zik did or didn’t do or say, to justify their hatred towards us….this will never change!

omenka:
In South East. Who cares?

You obviously care, you only comment on threads that has to do with the South East

gidgiddy:


You obviously care, you only comment on threads that has to do with the South East

I couldn't care less if your pigsty is reduced to ashes. The reason I comment on those threads is to rub it in real good, and I know you terrorists dearly wish I could stop doing so.

I'm not gonna cease fire, at least not anytime soon. So get used to it. 50 years old boy with nothing upstairs.

omenka:
I couldn't care less if your pigsty is reduced to ashes. The reason I comment on those threads is to rub it in real good, and I know you terrorists dearly wish I could stop doing so.

I'm not gonna cease fire, at least not anytime soon. So get used to it. 50 years old boy with nothing upstairs.

Typical BMC obsessed with Igbo related issues

We have to try Kanu secretly cos he's a terrorist who will send his minions after the government's witnesses

mrvitalis:

That's what you wish right ? Make Nigeria conduct referendum if e sure Nigeria

Ordinary President you are begging, can’t produce, with which numbers will you get your referendum?

The no votes to the referendum from Kano State alone, will surpass all the Yes votes in the whole Eastern Region combined.

IGBOSON1:
See how most of the comments on this thread are by the very same bigoted bastards that despise Igbos’, yet they’re here with their crocodile tears wanting to cry more than the bereaved!

None of them are bothered or want to question the Ekpa dolt on his threats to south-east gov’ts and peoples since they claim to be all about lawfulness and order! These scum actually support Ekpa, and that should tell you exactly what’s going on! Coupled with the fact that their darling Buhari gov’t, that was prepared to go to the ends of the world to kidnap and silence Mazi Kanu, seem awfully quiet on Ekpa despite all his threats….another pointer that explains exactly what’s going on here!

I’ve said before….that these threats, harassments and murders aimed at trying to sustain the Monday sit-at-home are being tele-guided and driven by northern elements with ties to the hegemony and Aso Rock! Their aim is to try and paint IPOB as ‘terrorist’ and ‘criminals’ in the eyes of the int’l community and Ndigbo, as well as to try and inflict as much damage as they can on the south-east economy! These are the sort of animals that will love to see a Soludo admin’ fail in Anambra, and this is why you see them screaming support for sit-at-home….anything to make life difficult for him is welcome as far as they are concerned!

They care not about the wasting of Igbo lives and spilling of Igbo blood, so long as those ‘nyamurees’ have the temerity to try and dagbaru their ATM that is ‘one Nigeria’ with their demand for secession….let the murders and insecurity go on as far as they are concerned! Go check their comments on the thread regarding the recent tragedy in Imo due to illegal refineries! The way they make light of the issue and abuse Igbos’ will make you sick to your stomach! These are the same people i’m told are ‘fellow compatriots’! Any Igbo that still feels Nigeria is a safe country to live in (esp’ as a Igbo) and bring up his kids….any Igbo that still feels comfortable sharing the same country with the Fulani and Yoruba…..and any Igbo that still feels he and his kids stand equal chance in national politics and business with the Fulani and Yoruba that are both in agreement on Igbo subjugation and hate (admittedly, the Yoruba that think this way are in the minority)….such a Nwafor needs a reality check! If Nigeria still exists 20 years from now, they will still be using the Nzeogwu coup and what Zik did or didn’t do or say, to justify their hatred towards us….this will never change!

Damn Ipobian Mumurist, Maybe Simon Ekpa works in Aso Rock?

buckeyemedia:
Ordinary President you are begging, can’t produce, with which numbers will you get your referendum?

The no votes to the referendum from Kano State alone, will surpass all the Yes votes in the whole Eastern Region combined.

Go to school u say no ..

omenka:
That one na only sawdust him carry for head, age notwithstanding.

Sometimes I wish Wike could even become the next president, then they'd know the true meaning of treason and terrorism and how those charged for it deserve to be treated.

Wike would feed the demented demagogue to pyranas in the brackish wasters of Niger Delta without trial and NOTHING will happen. If dem too make noise for social media sef, him go make sure dem collect for real life.

mynd44 lalasticlala Seun

calling a Nairalander sawdust brain