Kanu: to remain in prison

Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu was again denied bail on Thursday by Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako.

The court, sitting in Abuja also denied bail applications made by three other pro-Biafra agitators, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, who are facing trial alongside Kanu.

Kanu and the three defendants were charged to Court by Federal Government on  11-count charge bordering on treasonable felony and their alleged involvement in acts of terrorism, had through their lawyers, pleaded the court to release them on bail pending the determination of the charge against them.

While denying the Biafra agitators bail, Justice Nyako, noted that charges against the defendants “are very serious in nature and ordinarily, not bailable.

She also held that some of the charges against the defendants could attract life imprisonment if proved by FG.

The Judge dismissed claims by the defendants that President Muhammadu Buhari had openly directed that they should not be released on bail.

She noted that as a Nigerian, President Buhari, was free to exercise his freedom of speech.

The Judge however added that  President  cannot influence the decision of the court.

Justice Nyako also said the defendants did not place any new fact or law capable of persuading the court to reverse an earlier ruling of the court that denied them bail.

“The offences are serious in nature and carries very severe punishment if proven.

“I hereby therefore refuse bail of the applicants. But in the alternative, I hereby order accelerated trial of this matter to almost commence immediately, but not later than two months”, the Judge held.

Justice James Tsoho had similarly denied Kanu and his co accused bail earlier in the year.

The Judge was however forced to withdraw from the trial following allegations of bias against him in a petition by lawyers to the Biafran agitators to the National Judicial Commission, NJC.

Details later