Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, denied bail to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
The court, however, ordered accelerated hearing of the case involved in the embattled IPOB leader who is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony.
Kanu, who was brought to the court on Tuesday has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS since his arrest in June 2021.
Justice Nyako in his judgment held that the court would only grant an accelerated hearing in the matter and ordered the prosecution to call its first witness.
Counsel for Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor expressed his displeasure over the ruling, saying the IPOB leader’s legal team cannot go on with the proceedings if not given an opportunity to speak with their client.
Ejimakor added that it has been difficult to have a meeting with Kanu in the custody of the DSS, as their conversations were always monitored and Kanu is still wearing the same outfit which the court ordered to be changed.
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He alleged unfair treatment of his client, which he said contravened the Nigerian Constitution.
He expressed the dissatisfaction of Kanu’s team of lawyers and asked a stand down of the case to enable them to consult with their client, which the court has granted.
Counsel for the IPOB leader had at the last adjourned date urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial.
Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s health condition was deteriorating, adding that his continued detention by the DSS was a threat to his life.
He also argued that the continued incarceration of his client would not enable him to put up a good defense in the matter.
But the counsel for the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing.
He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of him.
Awomolo also accused Kanu of once jumping bail, adding that he failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer that if granted bail, he wouldn’t jump bail.
He was earlier granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending 18 months in detention but he fled the country after an invasion of his residence by the military in September 2017.
Credible News.ng
