Proscribed Igbo separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has condemned the Friday ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who rejected the no-case submission of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and mandated him to enter his defence at the next scheduled trial.
Kanu had filed the submission last Friday but during the hearing, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application and held that the Department of State Services (DSS) had made out a prima facie case against Kanu.
While delivering the ruling, Justice Omotosho said though he did not hold the defendant is guilty, he had a duty to prove his innocence while being accorded a right to a fair hearing.
“The defendant is still innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution still has a duty to prove its terrorism and treasonable felony allegations beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Omotosho said.
“The Court, however, holds that the defendant has to provide an explanation in view of the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses against him,” he added.
He subsequently ordered Kanu to enter his defence as the prosecution has been able to convince the court without reasonable doubt that he has a case to answer in the alleged terrorism charge brought against him by the Nigerian government.
