Justice Binta Nyako has again denied Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra bail.
At the last adjourned date, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako had adjourned the matter for May 26, however, on May 26, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor released a statement that the trial will not be held because the trial judge will not be available.
Ruling on Kanu’s bail application today, the judge held that the application for bail was a gross abuse of court process and an attempt to continue litigation on an issue that the court has already ruled on.
She, however, advised the applicant to approach the Court of Appeal on the issue of bail, should he feel aggrieved by the decision of the court.
The trial judge stated that since the ruling in July 2017 when Kanu was granted bail till date, the suit has suffered 15 adjournments and the matter has yet to enter a substantive hearing.
She added that she was not satisfied with the reason the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
Justice Nyako stated that from the records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties and he has never been denied a fair hearing.
She held that a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason.
In the trial judge’s words, “In the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.”
She insisted that the IPOB leader must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from it.
Kanu is facing treason and other charges which are connected to his call for the secession southeastern region of Nigeria.
He was first arrested in October 2015 by the Nigerian government and was granted bail in April 2017.
Three persons that stood surety for him were dragged to court by the Nigerian government, claiming that the separatist leader violated terms of his bail.
Kanu was rearrested by the Nigerian government in June 2021.