
COURT FIXES MARCH 19 TO DECIDE NNAMDI KANU’S FRESH BAIL APPLICATION
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, submitted a new plea to be released on bail pending the outcome of the treasonable felony charge the Federal Government sought against him. The Federal High Court, located in Abuja, has set March 19 for ruling on this motion.
The court declared that on March 20, the next day, it will continue to hear the case against Kanu in its entirety.
Trial Judge Binta Nyako heard arguments from Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the prosecution, and Kanu’s attorney, Mr. Alloy Ejimakor. Following her remarks, she adjourned the case.
When the matter was brought up for trial, Ejimakor brought Kanu’s bail request from February 5 to the court’s notice.
He further told the court that his client had also filed a preliminary objection to challenge the competence of the charge pending against him.
The defence counsel urged the court to grant Kanu bail on “most liberal terms” owing to his deteriorating health.
He said there was no dispute that the IPOB leader has a serious heart condition that was confirmed by federal government owned hospital.
“Our humble submission is that the medical condition of the defendant speaks for itself and the health challenge persists, despite the treatment offered him by the detaining authority,” Ejimako added.
He maintained that Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services, DSS, posed a threat to his life.
Besides, Ejimakor alleged that the delay in the prosecution of the embattled IPOB leader was the fault of the government which he said had repeatedly amended the charge.
On the court’s observation that Kanu once jumped bail, Ejimako, argued that developments that happened in the past had turned academic in view of findings and judgements of various courts on the matter.
On the preliminary objection dated February 19, Kanu’s counsel urged the court to direct that before the trial could commence, the respondents must refrain from, seizing documents from lawyers, stopping lawyers from taking notes during their visit to the defendant at the DSS and equally eavesdropping on conversation with Kanu.
He further urged the court to order that the prosecution l must stop the violation of his client’s right.
Alternatively, he sought an order that before commencement of trial, a non-custodial centre be created for Kanu to engage with lawyers of his own choice.
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