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IPOB kicks over leader’s non-appearance as HURIWA doubts FG’s willingness to release him
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday, rescheduled the trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from January 19, 2022, to January 18, 2022.
Counsel to Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had approached the court with an application seeking an order of the court to accommodate the trial in November and December this year as against January 19 next year.
Shuaib Labaran, who represented the Federal Government, told the court that a counter affidavit through which the government opposed the request had been filled and served on Kanu.
In the drama that ensued, the case diary of the court was read to the lawyer to establish that the court has crowded cases to treat.
Following the insistence, Nyako agreed to shift other cases slated for January 18 to accommodate the trial, which would last till January 19 and 20, 2022.
But Ejiofor also sought to move another application challenging the seven-count treasonable felony charges the Federal Government brought against him.
Labaran, however, challenged the argument on the ground that the motion was not ripe for hearing and that the business of the day was the motion for abridgement of time after which Nyako agreed with Labaran and rejected the bid to bring the motion forward.
Indications that Kanu might not appear in court emerged when as early as 8:00 a.m., there was the scanty presence of security operatives, unlike other occasions when he appeared in court.
In a statement issued in Abuja, by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, it said based on legal authorities, the power to initiate a case should carry power to terminate it as evident in London County Council vs A.G. 1902 A.C. 165, insisting that it was not premature to release the Biafrian agitator.
