The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied the bail application for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Justice Binta Nyako instead granted an accelerated hearing.
Punch reports that Alloy Ejimakor, counsel for Kanu, had requested bail, citing Kanu’s deteriorating health and asserting that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) posed a threat to his life. Ejimakor argued that Kanu’s incarceration hindered his ability to mount a proper defense.
However, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), representing the Federal Government, urged the court to reject the bail application and expedite the trial. Awomolo highlighted the DSS’s medical facilities and accused Kanu of previously jumping bail. He pointed out that Kanu had not sworn in an affidavit that he wouldn’t flee if granted bail.
Kanu was previously granted bail on health grounds in April 2017 but absconded after his residence was raided by the military in September 2017.