The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to March 19. The presiding judge, Binta Nyako, set the date for the commencement of the trial during Monday’s proceedings.
This adjournment comes after the recent Supreme Court judgment on December 15, 2023, which reinstated Mr. Kanu’s trial, overturning the Court of Appeal’s decision that had previously freed the IPOB leader.
Prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo, who led the federal government’s team in a notable shake-up, stated that at the next hearing, he intends to call at least two witnesses. This marks the first instance of an external prosecutor leading the government’s team since the case commenced in 2015.
During Monday’s session, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, presented a fresh bail application for his client. Ejimakor based the bail request on constitutional provisions guaranteeing defendants adequate time and resources for defense preparation. He also raised concerns about Kanu’s deteriorating health, urging the judge to grant him bail.
However, Awolowo, the prosecuting lawyer, contested Ejimakor’s arguments, urging the judge to dismiss Kanu’s bail application and the preliminary objection to the trial’s commencement.
The judge, Binta Nyako, scheduled March 19 as the new date for the Nigerian government to start presenting its prosecution witnesses against Nnamdi Kanu.