Legal Tensions Escalate as IPOB Leader Kanu's Bail Plea is Denied in Nigerian Court

Nnamdi Kanu

Kanu, detained on charges of treasonable felony, requested the court to either grant him bail or move him from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody to a prison

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stirred up a disturbance at the federal high court in Abuja on Monday when his bail application was rejected.

Kanu, detained on charges of treasonable felony, requested the court to either grant him bail or move him from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody to a prison.

Alternatively, he sought house arrest.

Nonetheless, Judge Binta Nyako denied the bail application.

Judge Nyako stated that Kanu's only recourse was to appeal to a higher court.

However, she mandated the DSS to permit Kanu regular access to his attorneys, limited to five individuals per visit.

She decreed that Kanu should be provided "a clean space" for consultations with his lawyers at the DSS facility and access to a personal physician.

Yet, Judge Nyako cautioned that any further similar requests from Kanu's lawyers would be considered a serious misuse of court processes.

In response to the decision, an agitated Kanu claimed the government had breached the constitution and international agreements by forcibly bringing him back to Nigeria.

"My lord, you previously stated you wouldn't consider bail until the circumstances of my absence were determined. That has yet to occur," Kanu argued, brandishing a set of legal volumes in the courtroom.

"At this juncture, I believe you cannot proceed with my trial without addressing that first. They attempted to assassinate me at my residence!

"I fail to see why my trial should proceed in contravention of the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Constitution. This is the current law of Nigeria.

"The court is acting against Nigerian law. Section 2(3)(f) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, spells this out explicitly."

Intervening, prosecutor Gboyega Awomolo urged Kanu's lawyers to restrain him.

Facing Awomolo, Kanu accused: "You are a terrorist for overseeing a trial that breaches an international accord Nigeria is bound by. Once ratified, a treaty becomes binding law."

"They're all terrorists! No Nigerian court has the right to try me. Any action contravening a treaty Nigeria has ratified constitutes terrorism," Kanu exclaimed in fury.

"This individual is a terrorist as of now. He's untruthful! You're a terrorist! Who do you think you are? Adhere to the law.

I've been incarcerated for more than three years. You, as the Body of Benchers' Chair, are infringing upon this nation's laws."

Awomolo, taken aback by Kanu's tirade, maintained his composure.

"I'm not a terrorist, nor am I incensed by the defendant's conduct. His reaction is expected. He's merely expressing his emotions," the senior attorney remarked.

Judge Nyako postponed the case to June 19 and 20 for further proceedings.

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