Judge threatens to adjourn Kanu’s trial indefinitely

April 17, 2024

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to adjourn indefinitely the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu should he insist on further delaying the commencement of the trial.

Earlier today, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor had stated some conditions to be met by the court for his client to submit to trial.

Some of the conditions were that the bail earlier granted him should be restored; he should be relocated from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and he should be allowed free access to his lawyers to enable him to prepare for his trial.

The prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) objected to Ejimakor’s requests, describing them as frivolous vexatious irritating, and unmeritorious.

Justice Nyako fixed the ruling on the requests by Kanu’s lawyer for May 20 but insisted that progress must be made in the case on Wednesday by allowing the prosecution to open its case by calling witnesses.

The judge said: “It is either we open this trial today by prosecution calling witnesses or I adjourn this matter indefinitely till the time you are ready for trial.

“You cannot continue to hold the court to ransom. I hope you know the consequences of adjourning the trial sine die. You have to make a choice and the choice has to be for you.

“I will rise for some minutes for you to think about this and make a choice and that choice has to be made today”, Justice Nyako said shortly before standing down proceedings.

Kanu, members of his legal team, and some relatives in court are currently meeting on what option to take.