Justice Binta Nyako has refused to grant INnamdi Kanu ipob leader, Nnamdi Kanu bail on ground that his counsel should explain why the earlier bail conditions granted him in 2017 were not heeded.
The trial Judge stated that Kanu who was earlier granted bail on health conditions refused to appear in court in July 2017, until a bench warrant was issued on him in March 2019 which led to his rearrest in Kenya 2021.
The court noted that Kanu’s trial had since 2015, suffered various setbacks owing to over 19 interlocutory applications that have been filed in the matter.
The court therefore, implored the parties to allow the case to proceed on trial to enable the charge to be determined, one way or the other.
After the ruling counsel for Kanu , Mike Ozekhome told the court that an amended six-count charge bothering on treasonable felony was served on him.
The amendment came a day before the trial fixed by Justice Binta Nyako to hear Kanu’s application for bail, pending the determination of the charge against him.
Ozekhome said that the federal government had in the amended charge, listed some lawyers representing the IPOB leader, including Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara, as accomplices of the defendant
He stated that the Federal Government alleged that the said lawyers, were constantly in contact with Kanu, after he jumped bail and fled the country.
Justice Nyako However told counsels that the defendant is at liberty to refile the application.
Kanu had in the application he filed pursuant to sections 6(6) and 36(5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as sections 161, 162, 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, prayed the court to release him on bail, pending the determination of the charge against him.
He equally prayed the court to order the Department of State Services, DSS, to produce the medical report of the defendant who is currently in its custody.
Kanu, told the court that he was severely tortured for eight days in Kenya, before he was repatriated to Nigeria for continuation of his trial.
He alleged that his health condition deteriorated, following “a highly poisonous substance” he said was injected into his system, which he said is causing him to have constipation and increased heart beat.
Insisting that the DSS lacks the necessary medical facility to cater for his health needs, Kanu, told the court that he was in solitary confinement where he alleged that he was daily exposed to mental torture.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
