Nnamdi Kanu’s Absence In Court Stalls Trial

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu to October 21, 2021.

The Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako gave the order on Monday following the absence of Nnamdi Kanu.

It was gathered that the IPOB Leader has demanded a change of Court and a full medical treatment

When the matter came up for hearing, the lead prosecution Counsel, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, told the court that although the defendant had not been produced by the Department of State Service (DSS), they were ready to proceed with the case.

Abubakar therefore urged the Court to proceed without a fiat, taking into consideration that the court had commenced vacation and Justice Binta Nyako was not one of the vacation judges.

The prosecution Counsel said that since the vacation of the Court commences today (Monday), the Court will need the fiat of the Chief Judge to continue the trial during vacation.

But Counsel to the defendant, Mr ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court of an application he filed seeking the transfer of the IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the DSS to a correctional center.

After listening to the two Counsels, Justice Binta Nyako, ruled that the trial of Kanu would not proceed in his absence having been arrested and brought into the country.

The trial judge also ruled that Kanu must be physically brought to court since he was now available to face his trial and directed the prosecution to ensure that the IPOB leader is brought to court to witness his trial.

Justice Nyako before adjourning the case to October 21, 2021, ordered that the Counsel to Kanu should be given access to the defendant…

There was water tight security in and around the Federal High Court before and during the proceedings.