Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday, asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop further proceeding on his trial.
Kanu and two other pro-Biafra supporters who are facing trial with him- Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi- urged trial Justice John Tsoho to hands-off their case and await the outcome of an appeal they have lodged before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
The trio who are answering to a six-count treason charge, made the application on a day the federal government was to open its case against them.
It will be recalled that the court had on Monday, declined to quash the charge against the defendants, even as it permitted the prosecution to shield the identity of eight witnesses that are billed to testify in the matter.
The court equally refused to discharge and acquit the three defendants as it was prayed to do under section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Meanwhile, at the resumed sitting on Wednesday, the defence lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, informed Justice Tsoho that he has taken the case before the appellate court to challenge what he described as “strange procedure” adopted in the trial of the defendants.
On his part, the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, who is handling the trial on behalf of the government, admitted that a copy of the motion for stay of proceeding was served on him before the court commenced sitting.
He applied for time to enable him to respond to the motion. Consequently, Justice Tsoho adjourned hearing of the defendants’ motion for stay of proceeding to April 5.
(Vanguard)
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