A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, refused to admit the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to bail.

Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, held that since Kanu was earlier granted bail in 2017 and jumped the bail, the court must first determine the real reason he jumped the bail before applying for another one.

Justice Nyako then dismissed the application for bail.

The court had, on April 8, exonerated the Federal Government on the allegation that the leader of the IPOB was forcefully abducted abroad to stand his trial.

Nyako, in a ruling, held that rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed.

Nyako said since Kanu was on a bench warrant, the law allowed that anywhere he is sighted, he can be arrested and be brought to face his trial.

“Rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed.

“In the instant case, there is a bench warrant on the defendant (Kanu). Suffice to say, he is a fugitive before the court,” she said.

The judge, who dismissed Kanu’s move to challenge the terrorism charge, upheld seven counts in the fresh charge filed by the federal government against the IPOB leader.

Nyako said that the federal government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, had been able to established some allegations against Kanu in counts one, two, three, four, five, eight and 15.

“Counts one, two, three, four, five, eight and 15 show some allegations. The court shall proceed to try the defendant (Kanu) on those counts, ” she ruled.

After the review of the 15 counts, she held that about eight of the counts appeared to be similar and did not disclose action.

She, therefore, ordered that counts six, seven, nine, 10, 11, 12 13 and 14 should be struck out.

Nyako also ruled that the order proscribing IPOB as a terror group still subsisted until it was vacated since the issue was still on appeal.

She dismissed the argument of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, counsel for Kanu, that whether IPOB was a terrorist organisation under the Nigerian law or not was still a subject of an appeal.

As of the time of filing this report, the hearing in the matter is still ongoing.
(NAN)

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Cubalabloo:
Free Mazi Kanu or we will boycot 2023 elections.

Cubalabloo:
Free Mazi Kanu or we will boycot 2023 elections.

michlins:
These people should please wrap up this case so these criminals will not have any reason to constrain the movement of legitimate business and people.


Small businesses like mine is dying because we can't just relocate.

Lionnation:
free him or not elections will be boycotted

omenka:
Your brothers say the media is exaggerating the severity of the situation on the East. That it is as peaceful as ever. Your comment is in contrast to that. Who do we believe?

omenka:
Is that all?

michlins:
ask any of them what is their business and you will see they're as jobless as or simply working in factories and they see this lockdown as holidays. What they don't know is that in a few months, the company will relocate or close down and they'll turn jobless

I'm a welder and I know what it took me to set up this business. Doing business under Buhari regime is an entirely different level of wahala, you come add the lack of investment caused by the lockdown.

I know someone who is based in Lagos who was setting up a factory where iron doors will be manufactured,dude hasn't stepped into Anambra State since December. Of course he's already rich and can afford to write off the investment and take it elsewhere but I don't have that financial strength and millions are just like me