A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fresh bail application by the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Nnamdi Kani Denied Bail
KanyiDaily recalls that the IPOB leader, who is currently facing a seven-count charge, had in the application filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), equally challenged the revocation of the bail the court earlier granted to him.
Kanu specifically urged the court to set aside the order it made on March 28, 2019, which not only issued a bench warrant for his arrest, but also gave Federal Government the nod to try him in absentia.
The IPOB leader told the court that contrary to Federal Government’s allegation that he jumped bail, he said that he fled the country for his life after his hometown at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, was invaded by soldiers, which he said led to the death of 28 persons.
Contending that he was denied fair hearing before his bail was revoked, Kanu attached eight exhibits that included photographs, as well as an affidavit he deposed to from Isreal after he fled from the country.
But during his trial on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed the bail request saying she was not satisfied with the reasons the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for continuation of his trial.
The trial judge noted that from the records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties.
She said, “In fact, his sureties told the court that they did not know the whereabouts of the Defendant and even applied to be discharged from the matter. Therefore, the defendant was not denied fair hearing.”
Besides, Justice Nyako held that though a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason, “in the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.
“The present application amounts to an abuse of court process for attempting to relitigate an issue already decided by the court.
“If the Defendant is dissatisfied, he has the Appeal Court to go to. This application is accordingly dismissed,” Justice Nyako ruled.
KanyiDaily recalls that on March 18, the court had also declined to release Nnamdi Kanu on bail, saying the IPOB leader must account for his whereabouts for years when he was first granted bail but refused to attend court for trial.
