Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel for leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, dismissed claims that his client instigated the killing of 175 police officers, burning down the palace of the Oba of Lagos amongst other accusations.
“I may not wish to dignify their trending falsehood by directly responding to it but it is a bad strategy, already dead on arrival. We saw it coming,” Mr Ejiofor said in a statement on his Facebook page on Saturday.
Attorney General Abubarkar Malami at a press briefing on Friday claimed Mr Kanu and IPOB were behind several killings and arson in South-East. He also alleged that Mr Kanu instigated the burning of the Oba of Lagos palace, BRT buses and other public infrastructure during last year’s #EndSARS protest.
Mr Ejiofor further said charges against his clients were based on speculation, referencing Mr Malami’s Friday statement.
“After a robust outing of 21st October, and strong objection raised to the empty charge, the narratives changed.
“Their 7-count Charge was amended twice upon being served with our Preliminary Objection. Remember that the facts they substantially relied upon in their purported Amended charge, dwelt much on this speculation as you saw in their press statement,” Mr Ejiofor said.
Mr Kanu is standing trial before The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on a seven-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism and incitement. His trial has been adjourned till November 10 after the State Security Service presented him in court on October 21, the first time since he was mysteriously repatriated from Kenya on June 29.
