Nnamdi Kanu, leader
of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), caused a stir at the federal
high court in Abuja on Monday after his request for bail was denied. Detained
on charges of treasonable felony, Kanu sought bail or a transfer from the
Department of State Services (DSS) custody to prison, or alternatively, house
arrest.
However, Judge
Binta Nyako refused his bail plea, stating that the only recourse for Kanu was
to appeal the decision. She did order the DSS to allow Kanu access to his
lawyers, with a maximum of five people per visit, and to provide a clean
environment for these consultations. Additionally, Kanu must be granted access
to a doctor of his choice. Nyako warned Kanu's legal team that filing similar
applications would be considered an abuse of the judicial process.
Visibly upset, Kanu
accused the federal government of violating the constitution and international
treaties by forcibly renditioning him to Nigeria. He argued that the court
could not try him without addressing the reasons for his disappearance,
stating, "The criminals came to my house to kill me!" He insisted
that his trial violated Nigerian law, specifically Section 2(3)(f) of the
Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecution counsel
Gboyega Awomolo attempted to intervene, leading Kanu to lash out, calling
Awomolo and others involved in his trial "terrorists" for allegedly
violating international treaties. Kanu exclaimed, "This man is a terrorist
for conducting a trial in violation of an international treaty that Nigeria
entered into... You are a terrorist! Who the hell are you? Follow what the law
says."
Awomolo, a senior
advocate of Nigeria (SAN), remained calm, stating that he understood Kanu's
emotional response and was not provoked by it.
Judge Nyako
adjourned the case to June 19 and 20 for further proceedings.
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