Due to the trial’s inability to get underway effectively, the Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed it to September 23, 25, and 26, 2024. Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is prohibited from holding public office.
The defense attorneys sought that the court look into section 17 of the Federal High Court Act after their move to quash the remaining seven counts against Kanu was denied. Justice Binta Nyako then made the adjournment.
“In any proceedings in the Court, the Court may promote reconciliation among the parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof,” according to Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
This was the statement made by Nnamdi Kanu’s attorney, Alloy Ejimakor, in front of Judge Binta Nyako after Kanu’s new appeal to the court, which contested the court’s authority to consider counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 15 on the grounds that they were unconstitutional, was denied.
The applicant’s sole remaining alternative, according to the court, was to file an appeal. It found that the court could not reverse itself on matters it had previously decided.
Ejimakor stated at the hearing that if his client’s right to a fair trial is being questioned, the trial cannot continue.
Additionally, Ejimakor informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) was still bugging their visit to Kanu, indicating that they had not yet complied with the court’s instructions in full.
But he added that the defendant has decided to file a contempt of court case against the DSS Director General for disobeying the court’s instructions to provide Kanu with an unbugged “safe room” where he can meet with his attorneys.
Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the prosecution attorney, told the court that he did not have his client’s permission to negotiate the charge with the defendant in regards to section 17 of the High Court Act, 2011.
Ejimakor was instructed by Awomolo to approach the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who is in a position of authority.
The trial judge, however, advised Kanu to speak with the AGF, who is the right person to negotiate with, noting that the court has no issues if the parties wish to talk about negotiation.
Regarding Forms 48 and 49, which ask for the DSS chief to be imprisoned for allegedly ignoring court orders, Justice Nyako ruled that the cases were not before her and stated that she will investigate the matter upon reviewing the file.
But in order to get Kanu ready for trial, Nyako mandated that the Service create a “unbugged space” where he could speak with his attorneys each time they visited the institution.
Furthermore, while the defendant files his defense until the next postponed date, Justice Nyako directed the prosecution to file and serve the defendant with its proof of evidence. In cases where there are no objections, the defendant should concur with the prosecution, she continued, and he should voice his disagreement when needed.
However, the trial judge postponed the proceedings to September 24, 25, and 26, 2024.
Kanu also discussed the killings in the South-East when he appeared in court on Wednesday with his attorneys.
The commander of IPOB stated that he was in favor of peace and that he was not involved in the killing of a few soldiers in Abia State a few weeks prior.
“I fully denounce all of the killings because IPOB was established on a non-violent tenet, and we continue to uphold that position. We were informed that some of these troops are also members of our community, and his family is currently in grief.
Thus, I oppose all murders. That’s not what I want. Given that we are battling for our freedom, how can we support violence? Human freedom is what we seek. Slavery in Arabia, Europe, and now America has caused us great suffering as Africans.
In court, he told reporters, “This is the time to focus on this continent and be what God wants us to be, so that they will know that we know what we are doing.”
