A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned indefinitely the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the revised charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Binta Nyako put off the trial sine die at the instance of Kanu pending the resolution of the Federal Government’s appeal against the October 13 judgment of the Court of Appeal that discharged him from the terrorism charges.
The Federal Government’s appeal seeking a reversal of the Court of Appeal judgment is pending before the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, A team of government prosecutors led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. M.B. Abubakar, alleged that Kanu refused to present himself before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his planned re-arraignment.
“My lord, I understand that the defendant declined to come to court today.
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“As of last week, the defendant was intimated of this sitting and he did not object. However, when I called the office this morning, I was informed that the defendant woke up and declined to come to court.
“All entreaties and pleas were made but he refused to come to court”, the government lawyer told the court.
Kanu’s legal team however said that Kanu had never hidden his intention to always be in court, describing the allegation as strange.
In an update, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said, “The Court per His lordship Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, is in agreement with us that it lacks the jurisdiction to entertain any further charge against Kanu, in view of the landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“The matter was consequently adjourned sine die pending the outcome of the appeal at the Supreme Court. We are winning! Supreme Court here we come! No going back on ONYENDU’s freedom.
“Our appeal to set aside the order staying the execution of Onyendu’s judgment will be fixed for hearing any moment from now.
We shall keep you all posted,” he said.
-investogist