A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed a fresh bail application by the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Kanu, who is currently facing a seven-count charge, had in the application filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, equally challenged the revocation of the bail the court earlier granted to him.
He specifically urged the court to set aside the order it made on March 28, 2019, which not only issued a bench warrant for his arrest, but also gave Federal Government the nod to try him in absentia.
The IPOB leader told the court that contrary to Federal Government’s allegation that he jumped bail, he said that he fled the country for his life after his home town at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, was invaded by soldiers, which he said led to the death of 28 persons.
Contending that he was denied fair hearing before his bail was revoked, Kanu attached eight exhibits that included photographs, as well as an affidavit he deposed to from Isreal after he fled from the country.
But, dismissing the bail request on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, said she was not satisfied with the reasons the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for continuation of his trial.
The trial judge noted that from the records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties.
“In fact, he sureties told the court that they did not know the whereabouts of the Defendant and even applied to be discharged from the matter.
“Therefore, the Defendant was not denied fair hearing,” she held.
Besides, Justice Nyako held that though a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason, “in the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.
“The present application amounts to an abuse of court process for attempting to relitigate an issue already decided by the court.
“If the Defendant is dissatisfied, he has the Appeal Court to go to.
“This application is accordingly dismissed,” Justice Nyako ruled.
It will be recalled that the court had also on March 18 declined to release the embattled IPOB leader on bail.
The court maintained that Kanu must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him, before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from it.
“Until the issue of the absence of the defendant for his trial, with all the bail conditions breached, is determined, the instant application of the defendant for bail will at best be premature and it is refused.
“However, the defendant is at liberty to re-file the application,” Justice Nyako added.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
