The running battle between the Nigerian government and Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group, continues as Kanu’s application for bail will be heard by an Abuja court next month.
British national Kanu was arrested in Kenya and forcefully extradited to Nigeria in June 2021. Since then he has been in detention in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite a Court of Appeal judgment on October 13, 2022, ordering his release.
The authorities, who are unwilling to let Kanu go, are charging him with terrorism and treason. Nigeria’s Supreme Court had overruled the judgment of the lower court.
After his several attempts at getting bail hit the rocks, Kanu filed a fresh bail application on health grounds before the Federal High Court on Monday.
“The defendant has a very serious health condition. He also has high blood pressure. The injury sustained in Kenya, and they are before the record of this court is still there. Recently, he has had an illness relating to the heart. To continue to detain him is a threat to his life,” Kanu’s counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, told the court.
But the court said it would give its ruling on March 19, 2024, prolonging Kanu’s continued incarceration.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
