A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fresh application for bail filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who is currently facing a seven-count charge, had in the fresh bail application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), also challenged the revocation of the bail the court earlier granted to him.
He asked the court to set aside the order it made on March 28, 2019, which not only issued a bench warrant for his arrest, but also gave FG the approval to try him in absentia.
Kanu’s bail was dismissed on Tuesday by Justice Binta Nyako, who 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The trial judge noted that from records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties.
She said, “In fact, he sureties told the court that they did not know the whereabouts of the Defendant and even applied to be discharged from the matter.
“Therefore, Defendant was not denied a fair hearing”.
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 favorable discretion from it.
The case has, however, been adjourned till November 14 for mention, to await the outcome of Kanu’s appeal.
