The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu will on May 20 know his fate in his request for restoration of his revoked bail and the removal from the custody of the State Security Services (SSS) to house arrest.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, fixed the date on Wednesday after listening to the argument of the defense and prosecution lawyers.
This is not the first time the trial of leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has met a brick wall.
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, on Wednesday, in a motion, requested the court to restore the bail granted him in 2017 by same trail Judge.
Kanu’s lawyer Alloy Ejimakor, told the court that his clients motion was pursuant to section 169 of the Administration of criminal justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
Ejimakor also told the court that his client filed a separate application requesting for his removal from the custody of the SSS to a house arrest or in the alternative, be remanded in prison, on grounds that the SSS facility where kanu is being held isn’t conducive in preparation for his trial.
He asked that his lawyers must be allowed unhindered access to him to enable him prepare for his defense in the terrorism charges against him.
The defedant also asked the court to set aside the arrest warrant issued against him by the court while he was out of the country.
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However, the Federal Government’s legal team, led by Adegbouega Awomolo vehemently opposed granting of all the requests made by Kanu.
Among others, the senior lawyer said that, in a criminal matter, no defendant has right to dictate to court how his prosecution would be conducted.
The Senior lawyer argued that the fresh request for bail by Kanu is a gross abuse of court process, having been rejected earlier by the same court, adding that the only option available to the defendant is to go to the court of Appeal to challenge the rejection since the High Court cannot over rule itself.
On the request for removal from DSS custody, Awomolo said that, the only safe and secured environment for Kanu remains the SSS custody in the interest of safety of his life.
After listening to both lawyers, the trial judge ordered that trial commences after the prosecution told the court that they were ready, but the defense says they are not.
Justice Binta Nyako however threatened to adjourn sine die the trial following the submission of Kanu’s special counsel, that they are not ready for trial.
The trial Judge however adjourned to May 20 for Rulling on the application and for hearing, after the court stood down the matter for 10 mins for the defense lawyers to have a quick meeting with Kanu.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
