Trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi, suffered a setback owing to lack of his presence in Court.
When the matter was called the for hearing before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Prosecuting counsel, M. B. Abubakar, told the court that the Prosecution team was ready to go on in the case that was slated for hearing, but Kanu was not present in Court.
He, however, urged the court to proceed with the trial without a fiat, from the Chief Judge of the court, and considering the fact that though the court has commenced its annual vacation, the trial Judge was not one of the vacation Judges.
Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, lfeanyi Ejiofor, in a swift response, informed the court that there was a pending application before
the court.
According to him, the application was aimed at transferring Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Services(DSS) to a correctional centre.
Ejiofor told the court that the Department of State Services(DSS) had denied him and Kanu’s relatives
the opportunity to see him.
He said, “l was informed
authoritatively, I am speaking from the Bar, that Nnamdi Kanu has been taken out of jurisdiction of this court, we have been denied access to Kanu in the last 10 days.
“We are worried about his safety and don’t know why the Federal Government rafıused to brinf him in Court” Ejiofor lamented.
The trial judge, Hon. Justice Binta Nyanko, in a short ruling, held that the trial of Kanu cannot proceed in his absence, having been arrested and brought into the country.
The Court emphasized that Kanu must physically be brought to court since he is now available to face his trial and urged the prosecution to ensure that Kanu be brought to court to stand his trial.
Hon. Justice Nyanko, consequently adjourned the matter to 21st October 2021 for continuation of hearing.
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