A Nigerian court has dismissed six out of 11-count charges faced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
This was on Wednesday at continued hearing and determination of applications seeking the withdrawal of charges against the defendants, Mr. Kanu and three others, David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe, who are facing trial for alleged treason.
In her ruling in the three applications brought by the first, second and third defendants in the matter, the presiding judge, Binta Nyako, of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court said counts 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 did not constitute a prima facie case against the defendants.
She said the documents before the court was insufficient to prove the allegation that the IPOB constituted an unlawful society.
She also held that the prosecution failed to prove that the items allegedly imported by the defendants had been banned by the Nigerian government.
Mrs. Nyako struck out the charges and ordered a fresh hearing on the other five counts still proffered against the defendants.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
