Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Southeast secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suffered a setback in his ongoing legal battle on Monday. A Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Binta Nyako, rejected his application for bail or house arrest.
Kanu faces charges of treasonable felony brought forth by the Nigerian government. His defense team argued for his release on bail or, as an alternative, for him to be placed under house arrest. But Justice Nyako dismissed both requests.
This decision adds to a string of previous bail denials for Kanu. The Judge pointed to these earlier rulings and suggested that appeals regarding bail should be directed to the Court of Appeal.
Justice Nyako also rejected Kanu’s request to be transferred from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to a conventional prison facility. On a more positive note, for Kanu, the court did grant him access to his legal team, allowing up to five lawyers to visit him during designated times.
Kanu’s re-arrest in 2021 and his continued detention have been met with controversy. His supporters have voiced criticism of the government’s handling of the case. The trial is expected to proceed, with the option for Kanu’s lawyers to challenge the bail denial at the Court of Appeal.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
