Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial To October 21

The trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, resumed at the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday, July 26, 2022, without Kanu’s presence in court.

When the matter was called up, the prosecution counsel, M. B. Abubakar, informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing and that they were ready to continue.

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court that there was a pending application before the court to transfer Kanu from the custody of the DSS to the correctional centre.

Justice Binta Nyako stated that the trial cannot continue in the absence of Kanu since he is not available to stand his trial

Justice Nyako also called the DSS to produce the IPOB leader in court for trial.

The court adjourned to October 21, 2021, for continuation of hearing.

It was further learnt that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested members of the Indigenous People of Biafra who had gathered close to the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

The IPOB members had tried to gain access into the premises of the court where their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony.

After failed attempts to enter the court premises, the IPOB members converged by the side of the road chanting solidarity songs and addressing journalists.

A video from the scene on social media showed a police officer asking them to leave the side of the road where they had converged.

When they proved adamant, the officer tried to arrest one of them as he brought out his gun and threatened to shoot while chasing him.

Another video from the scene showed some arrested IPOB members inside police vans beside the court which was heavily guarded by security operatives.

Kanu’s IPOB is seeking the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra that went to war with Nigeria from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970.