Nnamdi Kanu’s bail request denied by court

The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a blow to the hopes of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, by rejecting his bail application on Tuesday. Despite this setback, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, opted to prioritize an expedited hearing in the case.

During the proceedings, counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, Alloy Ejimakor, reiterated his bail plea, citing Kanu’s deteriorating health condition and alleging that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) posed a threat to his life. Ejimakor further argued that Kanu’s prolonged incarceration would hinder his ability to mount a robust defense. However, the counsel representing the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), countered these claims, urging the court to dismiss the bail application and instead focus on expediting the trial. Awomolo pointed out the availability of medical facilities within the DSS to address Kanu’s health concerns and highlighted Kanu’s previous breach of bail conditions, emphasizing the risk of flight if bail were granted again.

Nnamdi Kanu was previously granted bail on health grounds in April 2017 after spending 18 months in detention. However, he fled the country following a military raid on his residence in September 2017. These developments underscore the complex legal battle surrounding Kanu’s case and the contentious issues surrounding his detention and bail.