NATIONAL: Court to commence Kanu’s trial in absentia over alleged treason

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja is set to commence the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in his absence.

Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him by the Federal Government due to his campaign for the independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB.

IPOB has been outlawed in Nigeria and consequently recognised as a terrorist group.

In April 2017, Kanu was granted bail for health reasons, but skipped bail after reportedly flouting all the conditions given to him by the court.

The judge who granted the IPOB leader bail, Binta Nyako, subsequently revoked it and ordered his arrest.

Reacting to his client’s decision to leave the country, Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, argued that he left the country because of the invasion of his family’s residence in Abia State by soldiers.

He prayed the court to restore the bail to enable his client to return to Nigeria for trial, but the judge rejected the request.

However, the court has now served a hearing notice on the prosecution team and Ejiofor.

The court scheduled the case for today (November 26) during which five prosecution witnesses will testify against Kanu.

The IPOB leader has remained abroad, and once claimed he jumped bail to pursue the cause of Biafra.

Naija Times on Monday reported how some young people in the North under the auspices of ‘Arewa Youths Association for Peace and Good Leadership’ had demanded that Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate Minority leader serving as surety for Nnamdi Kanu, be arrested and jailed.

This is following the remand of Senator Ali Ndume which was ordered by court.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group said justice would only be served and fairness upheld if Abaribe is jailed like Ndume, since both are sureties for two  different people who jumped bail.