The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a ruling on Tuesday, dismissing the fresh bail application filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Instead, Justice Binta Nyako granted an accelerated hearing for the case.
Nnamdi Kanu’s counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, had pleaded for bail on behalf of his client, citing Kanu’s deteriorating health condition and arguing that his continued detention posed a threat to his life. Ejimakor emphasized that Kanu’s ability to mount a robust defence was hindered by his incarceration.
In response, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to reject the bail application and expedite the trial process. Awomolo pointed out the medical facilities available to Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and highlighted Kanu’s previous breach of bail conditions.
Kanu had been granted bail on health grounds in April 2017 but fled the country following a military raid on his residence in September of the same year, thereby violating the terms of his bail.
Despite the dismissal of the bail application, Justice Nyako’s decision to expedite the hearing signifies a swift judicial process for Kanu’s case.