Leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was yesterday denied bail by Justice Binta Nyako, of the Federal High Court Abuja.
However, the court mandated an expedited hearing in the case involving the controversial IPOB leader, who is accused of crimes that might be considered treasonous.
Since his arrest in June 2021, Kanu has been under the care of the Department of State Services (DSS), and he was brought before the court yesterday.
Delivering ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Nyako, held that the court would only grant an accelerated hearing in the matter and ordered the prosecution to call its first witness.
Counsel for Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, expressed his displeasure over the ruling. He said the IPOB leader’s legal team cannot go on with the proceedings if not given an opportunity to speak with their client.
Ejimakor added that it has been difficult to have a meeting with Kanu in the custody of the DSS, as their conversations was always monitored, and that Kanu is still wearing the same outfit which the court ordered to be changed.
He alleged unfair treatment of his client, which he said contravened the Nigerian Constitution.
He expressed the dissatisfaction of Kanu’s team of lawyers and requested a stand-down of the case, to enable them to consult with their client, which the court granted.
