A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed two applications submitted by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu had sought to be granted bail and requested a transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison.
On Monday, May 20, Justice Binta Nyako ruled against both applications. She noted that the issues raised had already been addressed and rejected by her court previously. Justice Nyako emphasized that Kanu had previously jumped bail and fled the country, which was a critical factor in her decision.
Justice Nyako pointed out that the individuals who stood surety for Kanu during his earlier bail had sought to be discharged from their obligations because they could not locate Kanu and were unaware of his whereabouts. This history of absconding played a significant role in the court’s current decision to deny bail.
The defence lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, argued that the Supreme Court had ruled that the earlier bail granted to Kanu should not have been revoked. However, Justice Nyako stated that upon reviewing the Supreme Court’s judgment, she found no support for the defence’s claim.
Following the court’s decision, Kanu expressed his dissatisfaction vocally from the dock, asserting that he would not stand trial before any court in Nigeria. He claimed that any attempt to prosecute him would constitute a violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and international laws.
Justice Nyako suggested that the appropriate course of action for Kanu would be to appeal to the Court of Appeal regarding the issues raised in his applications. This decision leaves Kanu’s legal team with the option to escalate the matter to a higher court in pursuit of relief.
The court’s decision underscores the complexities surrounding Kanu’s legal battles and the stringent stance the judiciary has taken due to his previous actions. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Kanu’s legal team will proceed and whether further appeals will yield different outcomes
