Nnamdi Kanu Absent As Court Adjourns Trial To Oct 21

Nnamdi Kanu Absent As Court Adjourns Trial To Oct 21

        Kanu 

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu was conspicuously absent at the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday, a situation that led to the adjournment of the trial to October, 21. 

This was due to the inability of the Department of State Services (DSS) to present the proscribed leader for its resumed trial in the court, just as the judges  also commenced their vacation on Monday. 

The trial judge, Binta Nyako argued that since the defendant was absent in court, that the trial cannot continue. 

Nyako however enjoined the DSS to produce the proscribed leader in court for trial. 

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

Mr Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, countered the claim of the prosecuting counsel, saying that there was a pending application before the court to transfer Kanu from the custody of the DSS to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Ejiofor also pleaded with the judge to grant Kanu access to his medical doctor to enable him undergo a comprehensive medical examination.  

According to him, "The defendant cannot get a fair trial if he remains in the custody of the DSS".

However, Justice Nyako promised to give an order for access to the defendant.

She said that such access would not be free for all, as it must be regimented.

The judge also declined the request of the defence counsel that Kanu should be transferred to a correctional centre, ordering that he should remain in the custody of the DSS.

To this end, Justice Nyako adjourned the case to October 21, 2021 for continuation of trial.

 

 Kanu was arrested on June 27 in Ethiopia and repatriated to Nigeria by Nigerian security operatives in collaboration with International Police (Interpol) to face charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and managing an unlawful society.