Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has threatened to adjourn sine die the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, until the defence is ready for trial.
This followed the submission of Kanu’s special counsel, that they are not ready for trial, contrary to the submission of the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, that are ready and have a witness present in court.
Ejimakor had at the beginning of proceedings moved two applications, with one on the restoration of bail pursuant to section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and another on the change of remand facility, on ground that the SSS facility where Kanu is being held is not conducive for the defendant and his lawyers to have a conference in preparation for trial.
Ejimakor told the court that owing to the accelerated hearing granted by the court, there is need for his client to be well prepared for same trial, but the facility where he is being kept is not making it easy for them.
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The prosecution lawyer, Awomolo urged the court to dismiss the application as the Defence has not stated cogent reasons why it should be allowed.
The trial judge, Justice Nyako adjourned to May 20 to rule on both applications before the court, and ordered that the prosecution to commence trial.
However, the Defence lawyer, Ejimakor opposed to the commencement of trial, stating that on grounds of the application before the court, Kanu’s legal team is not ready, as they would need a better environment other than the SSS facility to be able to prepare for trial.
He also accused the SSS of having hidden cameras around the meeting room where they are supposed to prepare for the said trial.
The trial Judge however stood down the matter for 10 minutes for the Defence lawyers to have a quick meeting with Kanu.
As at the time of filing this report, the court was yet to reconstitute.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
