An Abuja division of the Federal High Court has adjourned hearing of the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu – A new trial date has been fixed for Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – The lawyer to Kanu said that the led prosecution counsel wrote a letter to the court asking for a new adjourn date to enable him attend a seminar outside the country A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The federal government through its counsel, M.S Labarn, wrote the court seeking an adjournment in the matter. Premium Times reports that Labaran in his letter said he had a seminar to attend leading the court to adjourn the matter to Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
But lawyer to Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor his in reaction accused the Federal Government of making efforts to stall the trial. Ejiofor said: “On inquiry we discovered that, the state council assigned to the matter, Labaran Shuaibu filed a communication before the court seeking for an adjournment to that effect. That he is travelling for a seminar outside the country and the court obliged him. I don’t think that should be enough reason for the court to adjourn this matter, taken into consideration the seriousness of this matter and the interest around this matter.”
Kanu is facing trial before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court.
He is charged for treasonable offence alongside three others – David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu, and Chidebere Onwudiewe. The whereabouts of the IPOB leader who was granted bail under various condition include the provision of three sureties is yet unknown after a military invasion at his residence in Afara Ukwu, Umuahia. Justice Nyako in a previous ruling had given Kanu’s sureties some conditions over his disappearance. One of the sureties, a Senator representing Abia south, Enyinnaya Abaribe, through his lawyer said prayed the court to relieve him of his role as a surety to Kanu. Abaribe in his argument also asked the court to withdraw its other of N100 million bond made available for Kanu’s release But Justice Nyako said only the appearance or provision of the first defendant by the sureties will prevent the possible forfeiture of the bond.