Again, Kanu absent at trial as Court adjourns case

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, was nowhere to be found, as his trial came up for hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

One of his sureties, who stood for the bail granted Kanu, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe was however present in court at the resumed hearing.

The lawmaker urged trial Justice Binta Nyako to direct the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai to pay N10million as damages to him for the psychological trauma he has gone through following extra-judicial self-help actions of the Army, which he said led to Kanu’s dissapearance.

He also applied for an order compelling Buratai to offset all expenses he incurred in the cause of the trial of the IPOB leader.

Kanu who is being prosecuted alongside others on charges of treasonable felony, has gone missing ever since the Army invaded his home on September 14, 2017.

His family members and his lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, all contend that the Nigerian Army and government should be held liable for Kanu’s whereabouts, and that they are in the best position to produce.

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But the Army and government have all denied knowing the whereabouts of the IPOB leader.

The case has been adjourned to December 5, for continuation, due to the absence of ‎the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, who was said to be attending a Judges’ Conference’ being held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

Kanu’s co-defendants, were brought to the court on Monday by prison officials. They included, the National Coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe; an IPOB member, Benjamin Madubugwu; and a former Field Maintenance Engineer seconded to the MTN, David Nwawuisi.

Sen Abaribe’s lawyer, Mr. Ogechi Ogunna, had informed the judge on October 17 ‎that his client had filed a motion seeking to be discharged as Kanu’s surety.

‎But Justice Nyako said Abaribe’s motion could not be heard until Kanu was produced in court.

 

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