Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has pleaded not guilty to the modified seven count charge of treason slammed on him by the Federal Government.
Kanu made the plea as his trial began at the Federal High Court Abuja Thursday in Abuja.
Latest report from the courtroom said the case has been adjourned till 10 November.
Kanu was beaming with smiles as he took photos with his team of lawyers before the court session started at 10 am.
When the seven count charge was read to him, the IPOB leader pleaded not guilty.
Count one of the charge reads that Kanu “being the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, preparations made by you and others now at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the federal republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
Count six of the amended charge reads: ”That on the 16th of May , 2021 in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit and act in furtherance if an act of terrorism by making a broadcast that “in two weeks time, what will happen will shake the world, people will die, the whole world will stand still mark my word” and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.”
Kanu has been in custody of the DSS since he was kidnapped in Kenya late June.
The Nigerian government claimed he jumped bail in 2017 and fled to the UK.
Kanu had said he left Nigeria because his life was in danger.
