A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the defence counsel to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court on March 28, or for his sureties to explain his whereabouts. Justice Binta Nyako gave the order while ruling on an application for adjournment made by the prosecuting counsel, Shuaibu Labaran. Kanu, who is the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is standing trial before the court alongside three members of the group for alleged treasonable offences relating to the agitation of the group for separation of the South-east and South-south regions from Nigeria.
He was admitted to bail on April 25, 2017, with the Chairman, South-east Senate caucus, Enyinnaya Abaribe; a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom, and a chartered accountant, Tochukwu Uchendu signing his bail bond. Kanu has, however, not appeared in court since his bail and his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, repeatedly told the court that he was in the custody of the Nigerian Army, an allegation the army has denied.
Mrs. Nyako had earlier granted an application seeking to separate Kanu’s charges from that of the other defendants, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi. She granted the application particularly since none of the defendants raised an objection to it. Labaran told the court that since Kanu’s absence was frustrating proceedings in the matter, justice would be better served if the charges were separated so that the case of the three defendants could go on.
She, however, advised the counsel to liaise with the prison authorities, saying if they agreed to attach a warden to the defendant, she would make an order allowing him to go to any government hospital. She also adjourned that of the other defendants till March 20. Kanu and his co-defendants are standing trial on a five -count charge bordering on felony. (Premium Times)
