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Nigeria: FG Re-Arraigns Uwazuruike, Others
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This Day (Lagos)
15 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Funso Muraina
Abuja
Federal Government yesterday re-arraigned leader of the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra ( MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike and 12 others accused of treason.
This followed the transfer and replacement of Justice Binta Nyako who handled the case with justice Adamu Bello of the Abuja Federal high court recently. However, the fresh trial did not affect the five-count charge leveled against the accused even as they all pleaded not guilty when it was read to them yesterday.
The former judge also granted Uwazuruike a temporary bail to enable him bury his deceased Mother, Monica last year.
At the session yesterday, the accused through their lawyer, Kelvin Emeka Okoro, demanded that the earlier bail granted be honoured by the new Judge.
However , this application was not refused by Justice Bello who rather adjourned the case to June 26.
Uwazuruike's request was for an extension of his bail period by three months to enable him perform other post burial rites of the Mother.
Uwazuruike premised his request on the ground that he did not jump bail or breached the conditions for his bail, stressing that he made himself available to police and the court.
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While Uwazuruike and Okwukwu walked out of the court premises amidst cheers from supporters, the 11 others were whisked away in prison service van to Keffi. Reacting to the fresh trial , Okoro explained "That is the law. Once a new judge takes over a case, he should be allowed to have fresh knowledge of the case." MASSOB leaders were arrested for allegedly attempting to establish a parallel government. According to Federal government, the action runs fowl of the lawbeing inimical to national security .
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