IPOB leader’s trial to continue inabsentia

Obinwannem News IPOB leader's trial to continue inabsentia

A date has been slated for the commencement of the case against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu; forwarded by the Federal government of Nigeria.

Following a notice of hearing served on the Prosecution, and the defence counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, by the office of the attorney general of the federation, November 26, 2020 has been slated to hear witnesses that would testify against the IPOB leader.

Bring to mind that the court had severed Kanu’s case of treasonable felony (February 20, 2018) from his co-defendants, sequel to a military raid in his townhome which prompted his continued absence in court.

Also, presiding Justice Binta Nyako had, on the last adjourned date (March 28, 2019) invoked ‘trial in absentia,’ and a ‘substantive trial’ upon Kanu’s unavailability in court; hence, issued a bench warrant against him. In addition, the judge insisted on masking the witnesses made available to profess against the defendant.

However, the defendant’s counsel, Ejiofor argued his client [Kanu] never jumped bail, noting that the military invasion of his client’s home in September of 2017, led to Kanu’s “disappearance”.

Followingly, Justice Nyako, in objection, had ordered Kanu’s three sureties to provide their principal; or show cause why they should not forfeit their (₦100million) bail bonds.

Also, it is worthwhile to note, before the court are pending applications entered by IPOB’s lawyer, challenging the competence of the charge on the ground that the filed evidence (in support of the charge) do not disclose a ‘prima facie’ case.

Ozoemela Chikwas reporting, Obinwannem News

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