In a recent development, the Federal High Court in Abuja resumed proceedings on the case involving Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The court session on Monday was primarily focused on hearing Kanu's application for bail and a preliminary objection to the commencement of the trial.
The case was brought back to the court following the Supreme Court's decision on December 15, 2023. Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), representing the Federal Government, informed Justice Binta Nyako that the apex court had upheld her earlier decision from April 8, 2022. This decision preserved seven out of the original 15 counts on which Kanu had entered a plea of not guilty.
Awomolo further stated that the Supreme Court had ordered the continuation of the hearing on the remaining seven counts. He expressed readiness to proceed with the hearing, emphasising that it was in the interest of the defendant and the entire nation to see the trial through to its conclusion.
However, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu's counsel, presented two motions to the court - an application for bail and a preliminary objection to the trial's continuation. Despite acknowledging the Supreme Court's directive for the trial to proceed, Ejimakor stated that they were not prepared to continue with the proceedings at this time. He requested the court to consider the bail application and the preliminary objection, a request to which the prosecution raised no objections.
The hearing on the bail application and the preliminary objection is currently underway. Further updates will be provided as the case progresses. (NAN)