Nnamdi Kanu, Leader Of IPOB, Makes Conditions For The Court To Stand Trial

Nnamdi Kanu

COURT has scheduled a trial for May 20. Nnamdi Kanu's bail and plea to be released from DSS custody is being opposed.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has requested the reinstatement of his bail. The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a second trial on May 20 to deliberate on these independent applications.

An application to release Kanu from the Department of State Services' (DSS) custody will also be taken into consideration on the designated date.

Remember that on April 25, 2017, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had originally granted Kanu's bail on the basis of his health; nevertheless, he left the nation when the military broke into his home.

He was later taken into custody by the DSS after being re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and sent to Nigeria.

Judge Nyako rejected Kanu's most recent request for a new bail on March 19, 2024. Rather, the court postponed the proceedings to Wednesday and promised an expedient consideration of the case.

His attorney, Alloy Ejimakor, made two applications during the most recent session. One asked for Kanu to be released from DSS custody, arguing that his continued detention there would interfere with the trial's preparation, while the other focused on his bail request.

According to Ejimakor, “We seek the transfer of the defendant from the DSS detention to a house arrest or other similar places of custody or similar law enforcement agency's custody. We are offering solutions to assist with accelerated hearings ordered by the court.”

Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) for the prosecution opposed the application, stating, “This application lacks merit. It is Your Lordship's decision to keep him there for his safety and security. They have not shown why you should vary your order.”

Also, Ejimakor asked the court to reinstate Kanu's bail, claiming that the decision to revoke it was illogical.

“My Lord granted him bail in 2017 and it was revoked on the grounds that he jumped bail. He did not,” he said.

Awomolo countered by highlighting the necessity of following court orders unless they are appealed.

“When a court has taken a decision, parties are bound to obey. The only way to avoid this is to appeal,” Awomolo stated.

Justice Nyako postponed the decision on the applications until May 20 after hearing arguments from both sides.

Nevertheless, she ordered that Kanu's trial go forward according to plan, even though Ejimakor maintained that he had not been sufficiently prepped for the trial.