Court rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s bail request, orders accelerated hearing

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected a new bail application submitted by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In her ruling, Judge Binta Nyako stated that she could not reverse her previous decision to deny bail to the IPOB leader. She advised Mr. Kanu to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Furthermore, Mrs. Nyako dismissed Mr. Kanu’s preliminary objection, which sought specific conditions to be met by the State Security Service (SSS) before proceeding with the trial. She emphasized that the court cannot dictate to the security agency on operational matters but issued an order for an accelerated hearing of the case.

Mr. Kanu filed these applications following the Supreme Court’s judgment on December 15, 2023, which directed him to return for trial after fleeing the country in 2017.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the case's slow progress, Mrs. Nyako lamented, “This is exactly the way this case has been going since 2015. I am talking to both sides. You always find a way to truncate the proceedings.”

Mr. Kanu's lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, highlighted concerns about his client's health conditions and the restrictions on private consultations with legal counsel while in SSS custody.

The prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awolowo, argued against bail, citing Mr. Kanu’s previous evasion of bail and the diligence of the SSS in providing healthcare services during detention.

Nnamdi Kanu faces charges related to terrorism and has been in SSS custody since June 2021. His trial was restarted following a Supreme Court decision in December 2023, which dismissed his appeal against forcible repatriation from Kenya.