Nnamdi Kanu: facing terrorism related allegations

Nigeria’s government lawyer,  Mr Moses Idakwo has asked a Federal High Court in  Abuja  to  disregard the bail application  by counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of pirate Radio Biafra.

Kanu has been in detention since September after his arrest in Lagos  and his lawyer Vincent Obeta has been struggling to get him out on bail.

But on Monday, Idakwo shocked Kanu’s lawyers when he revealed that Kanu was being held over  allegations that  were terrorism-related.

He said the SSS had evidence of bank accounts owned by Kanu, where monies (in dollars and pound sterling) were used for financing terrorism against Nigeria.

Idakwo also said the applicant had dual citizenship of Britain and Nigeria and therefore could flee justice if granted bail.

He further said the bail conditions issued by a Magistrate Court were yet to be perfected by the applicant.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who heard the submission of the government lawyer said he would give a ruling on 17 December.

“Having listened to both parties, I shall be ruling on the application on Dec. 17, ’’ he said.

Mr Vincent Obeta, counsel to Kanu had approached the court to grant his client bail.

Obeta said the State Security Service (SSS), had abused court process by refusing to honour the bail order of a Magistrates’ Court in Abuja.

Obeta, who filed a Fundamental Rights suit against the SSS, held that Kanu’s liberty was being trampled upon when an earlier Magistrates’ Court bail condition was perfected.

“My lord, Kanu has spent exactly 90 days in detention today. This action contravenes the Constitution and the African Charter on Human Rights.

“We have indeed perfected the bail condition as directed by the Magistrate Court but to no avail.
“The lower court has also ordered that Kanu be transferred to the Kuje Prisons but the authority refused to heed the order of the court. That is why we have approached this superior court for justice’’, Obeta said.