Nnamdi Kanu: Issues For Decision When IPOB Leader Appears In Court

October 21 is the next adjourned date for the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Recall that the court had on July 26 adjourned the trial after the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce him during the proceedings.

Justice Binta Nyako is the trial judge in the treasonable felony related charge instituted against Kanu since 2015 by the federal government.

But the IPOB leader had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Issues for Determination:

The judge will, on resumption of trial, hear Kanu’s application praying the court to transfer him from the custody of the DSS to the Nigeria Correctional Centre.

Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor,  had said that the DSS was not a convenient abode for his client to be detained while his trial continues.

He may likely argue that Kanu needs to be kept in prison custody so he and his (Kanu) family can have unrestrained access to him before any trial date.

The prosecution is expected to object to this.

The prosecution had filed a counter affidavit to Kanu’s application, indicating it may insist on the IPOB leader remaining in DSS custody.

It is expected that there will be legal fireworks  when the IPOB leader is eventually brought to court.

The prosecution  may push for the continuation of Kanu’s treason trial which was stalled since January 27 this year.

Treason Charge Partly Reads :

“That you Nnamdi Kanu ,’M’, Onwudiwe Chidiebere ‘M’, Banjamin Madubugwu, ‘M’, David Nwawuisi ,’M’ and others now at large on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in Nigeria and London ,United Kingdom, did conspire amongst yourselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this court preparations being made by you and others at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act CAP .C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2000.”

Kanu was extradited to Nigeria to face his ongoing trial on June 25.

IPOB is seeking the secession of the South-east from Nigeria.

The case has witnessed series of adjournments.