Victor Ezeja
Trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court Abuja, has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, to have maximum possible comfort, including changing his cloth while in their custody.
The secret service was also ordered to allow the IPOB leader to practice his faith in their custody.
Binta gave the order during an emergency trial held on Thursday. She said the matter for the day’s proceeding was for abridgment of time for the trial.
Kanu who is facing charges bordering on alleged terrorism and treasonable felony, was absent during Thursday’s trial, though one of his lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor told journalists that it is not mandatory that he appeared in court for the hearing.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBREAKING: Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Case To January 19, 2022
Counsel to Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had filed an application at the court seeking for abridgment of time for the trial in order for it to hold in November and December this year as against the earlier adjournment to January 19, 2022, made in the last sitting in October.
Ejiofor stated that Kanu has neither changed his cloth nor allowed him to practice his faith since DSS detained him, and was also not given access to his lawyers which are against his fundamental human rights.
After hearing the plea, Justice Nyako said she has tight schedules and cannot grant the trial to be held earlier than January, but agreed to shift other cases slated for January 18 to accommodate the trial which will last till January 19 and 20, 2022.
By this, the judge brought forward the hearing of the case by a day (January 18, 2022), from the initial date of January 19 for a hearing of pending applications which includes the jurisdiction of the court and competence of the charges against Kanu.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
