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Nnamdi Kanu: Court dismisses IPOB leader’s bail application

By Dennis Erezi
28 June 2022   |   10:46 am
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed the application for bail by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The judge, Justice Binta Nyako, in her ruling said the suit was a gross abuse of the court process and an attempt to continue to litigate on issues…

[FILES] Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu during his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ATEKO

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed the application for bail by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The judge, Justice Binta Nyako, in her ruling said the suit was a gross abuse of the court process and an attempt to continue to litigate on issues that have already been ruled on.

She, however, advised the applicant to approach the Court of Appeal on the issue of bail, should he feel aggrieved by the decision of the court.

READ MORE: Nnamdi Kanu appears in court after re-arrest

The trial judge stated that since the ruling in July 2017 when Kanu was granted bail till date, the suit has suffered 15 adjournments and the matter has yet to enter a substantive hearing.

She added that she was not satisfied with the reason the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.

Justice Nyako stated that from the records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties and he has never been denied a fair hearing.

READ MORE: Nigeria restricts media coverage for IPOB leader’s trial

She held that a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason.

In the trial judge’s words, “In the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.”

She insisted that the IPOB leader must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from it.

Kanu is facing treason and other charges which are connected to his call for the secession southeastern region of Nigeria.

He was first arrested in October 2015 by the Nigerian government and was granted bail in April 2017.

Three persons that stood surety for him were dragged to court by the Nigerian government, claiming that the separatist leader violated terms of his bail.

Kanu was rearrested by the Nigerian government in June 2021.

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