Court dismisses fresh bail application for Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, had his second application for bail denied by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

The application was submitted pending the outcome of the federal government's treasonable felony charge brought against him.

Kanu, who is currently charged with seven counts, also contested the court's decision to revoke the bail that it had previously granted him in the application he submitted through his legal team, which was led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

He requested that the court reverse the decision it made on March 28, 2019, which authorized FG to try him in absentia and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Contrary to the Federal Government's claim that he jumped bail, the IPOB leader told the court that he fled for his life after his hometown of Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, was invaded by soldiers, which he claimed resulted in the deaths of 28 people.

Kanu attached eight exhibits, including photographs and an affidavit he deposed from Israel after fleeing the country, in support of his claim that he was denied a fair hearing before having his bail revoked.

Meanwhile, dismissing the bail request on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako said she was not satisfied with the reason the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.

The trial judge noted that according to court records, both Kanu and his sureties were represented by attorneys on the day that their bail was revoked.

In fact, the sureties requested to be released from the case and stated to the court that they were unaware of the defendant's whereabouts.

Justices Nyako also held that though a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason, “in the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.

“The present application amounts to an abuse of court process for attempting to relitigate an issue already decided by the court.

“If the Defendant is dissatisfied, he has the Appeal Court to go to. This application is accordingly dismissed”, Justice Nyako said.

The Judge had also on March 18, declined to release the embattled IPOB leader on bail.

The court maintained that Kanu must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him, before he could enjoy another

However, Justice Nyako stated that the defendant was free to resubmit the application.

In the interim, the case has been postponed until November 14 for a hearing in order to await Kanu's appeal's verdict.