A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled March 19 for a ruling on a fresh bail application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the prescribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Justice Binta Nyako set the date on Monday, February 26, after hearing arguments from lawyers representing both parties in the terrorism case brought against Kanu by the federal government.
Kanu faces charges of treasonable felony and terrorism-related offenses, totaling seven counts. The trial resumed following the Supreme Court’s judgment on December 15, 2023, which overturned a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal, leading to Kanu’s release.
Despite the Supreme Court’s criticism of the manner in which Kanu was returned to the country from Kenya without following the normal extradition process, it ordered that he be tried for the remaining seven counts pending from the original 15-count charge.
Tight security measures were implemented within and around the court premises by Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, some of whom were masked. Roads surrounding the court complex were closed, with restrictions on vehicular and pedestrian movements.
During the hearing of Kanu’s bail application, his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, requested the court to grant bail on health grounds, citing Kanu’s acute hypertension and heart disease. Ejimakor emphasized the necessity for Kanu to have unrestricted access to his legal team to adequately prepare his defense.
Ejimakor also presented another motion urging the court to suspend Kanu’s trial until certain conditions were met by the Federal Government, including barring DSS operatives from interfering with his legal team during visits and allowing Kanu to wear his preferred clothing.
