Court Denies Nnamdi Kanu Bail After Fresh Application

Court denies Nnamdi Kanu bail after fresh application was filed by his council Aloy Ejimakor.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday denied bail to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Despite the denial of bail, the court has mandated an accelerated hearing for Kanu’s case, which revolves around charges related to treasonable felony.

Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest in June 2021, appeared in court on Tuesday for the ruling on his bail application. His legal team, alongside family and religious leaders, accompanied him.

During the proceedings, Justice Nyako emphasized the importance of an expedited hearing and instructed the prosecution to call its first witness, signaling a swift progression in the legal proceedings.

However, Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, highlighting the challenges they face in communicating with their client due to DSS monitoring.

Ejimakor expressed that meeting with Kanu in DSS custody was challenging due to monitored conversations, and highlighted Kanu still wearing the same outfit ordered by the court to be changed.

Meanwhile, He alleged unfair treatment, citing violations of the Nigerian Constitution, and conveyed Kanu’s legal team’s dissatisfaction, prompting a stand-down of the case for consultation, a request granted by the court.

“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, adding the freeing the defendant on bail would enable him to effectively prepare his defence to the charge.

Besides, Ejimakor alleged that the seeming delay in the prosecution of the case was the fault of the government which he said had repeatedly amended the charge.

On the court’s observation that Kanu once jumped bail, Ejimakor argued that the development had become academic in view of findings and judgements of various courts on the issue.

In response to the defense’s objections, the court granted a stand-down of the case, allowing Kanu’s legal team to consult with their client.