The trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has hit a brick wall as the trial Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the trial to October 21.
This development was over the failure of the Department of State Services, DSS on Monday failed to produce him before the Federal High Court in Abuja
Giving a reason for the absence of Kanu, Government lawyer, M. B. Abubakar, told the court that it was due to “logistical problems”.
He acknowledged that the secret police Department was aware of the trial today, Monday. He however told the court that he was ready to proceed in Kanu’s absence, adding that he has three witnesses ready to testify.
But the prosecutor argued that it cannot proceed with the trial in Kanu’s absence except there was a Fiat from the Chief Judge of the High Court.
Reacting, Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor told the court that the life of his client was in danger.
Ejiofor told the court that he had been unable to have access to his client for the past 10 days.
“My lord, speaking from the Bar, I got it on good authority that my client has been taken away, outside the jurisdiction of this court”, Ejiofor added.
He further argued that it would be in the interest of justice for the CJ of the court to issue Fiat for the trial to go on during the court’s vacation.
Meanwhile, trial Justice Binta Nyako noted that the case could not go on in the absence of Kanu.
“I am also worried why the Defendant is not here. The first step in a criminal matter is to provide the Defendant in court. He is not here.
Justice Nyako acknowledged that she could not proceed with the case without Fiat allowing her to sit as a vacation judge, she made an order, directing the DSS to grant Kanu access to his lawyers.
The judge also ordered that Kanu must be produced before the court on the adjourned date.
More details later:
