Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu wants court’s protection to face his trial

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday, told Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, that he was ready to face trial if his safety would be guaranteed by the court.

Kanu, who spoke through his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor said the application to restore his bail so that he could face his trial was filed on April 1, 2019.

According to Ejiofor, at the resumed trial yesterday, “We have an application for bail filed on April 1, 2019, the application was served on the prosecution and it is ripped for hearing.

“We urge the court to restore his bail on the ground that the court will guarantee his safety when he comes back to the country to continue his trial,” he added.

On his part, counsel to the Federal Government, Labaran Shuaibu, who told the court that he was just seeing the application filed by the defendant, raised an objection to it.

Shuaibu prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the prosecution file necessary processes.

Delivering her ruling in the application, the trial Judge Justice Nyako said, the only way he could guarantee the safety of the IPOB leader was to keep him in prison custody.

According to her, “Even judges no longer safe in the country. judges are being abducted in the country. So, prison is the only safest place for him.

She then adjourned the matter till January. 16, 2019.

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Following Kanu’s refusal to make himself available for his trial, the court had, on March 28, 2019, ordered his re-arrest after revoking the bail granted him

Recall also that the court also ordered that the trial of the lPOB leader,  who has absconded from the country since last year will continue in his absent.

Justice Nyako recalled in her ruling that  the court admitted the defendant to bail April 25,  2017, on health ground, but the defendant  had failed to attend trial since November 2017 prompting the court to issue an order directing his sureties  to deposit  the sum  N100 million bond with the court Registrar  and to show cause why they should not forfeit the money to the federal government if they fail to produce Kanu.

The court’s order for the arrest of Kanu followed an application by the prosecution counsel, Shuaibu Labaram for a bench warrant of arrest.

It would also be recalled that the court had, in April, 2017 released Kanu on health grounds to Abaribe, Jewish High Priest, Immanuel- Shalom and an Abuja based chartered accountant, Tochukwu Uchendu as sureties on a bail bond of N100 million each.

But Kanu’s whereabouts has remained unknown since a military operation in his residence in Umuahia, Abia State in September 2017.

Following Kanu’s disappearance, the court in February separated the trial of Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, who were charged with treasonable felony, illegal importation of radio transmitter, and unlawful possession of firearms alongside Kanu.