A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday January for ruling on the bail application brought by the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr. Kanu and two others are charged with treason. The court yesterday heard legal arguments over his bail application. Prosecution counsel Mohammed Diri argued that the application put up by the defense does not satisfy the requirements of the Evidence Act.
He urged the court to consider the weighty evidence against the accused, including a statement in which he admitted that he was a British citizen; that he sneaked into Nigeria without a passport, and that he was the operator of Radio Biafra in London, and asked that the application be refused.
Objecting, the defence counsel, M.U Udechukwu, told the court that the document being cited by the prosecution has not been admitted by the court in evidence, and that the prosecution therefore lacks the right to make reference to it before the court.
He argued that there are procedures to be followed before such a document can be admitted as an exhibit, and therefore prayed the court to grant the defendant bail as the offense committed is not a capital offence.
Earlier, a mild drama ensued in the court premises when Kanu was brought in handcuffed, but refused to come out of the prison vehicle because of the press cameras. His co-accused, who were also in
handcuffs, had already alighted.
An alternative entrance in the back of the court was eventually found and Kanu was ushered into the court through the elevator that is normally reserved for judges.
A similar drama followed the hearing when Kanu, exchanging greetings with friends and relatives, was reluctant to move towards the elevator as demanded by prison officials, pointed warning fingers at them and dared them to hurt him.
The situation nearly led to fisticuffs before it was brought under control and he was led into the prison vehicle.
Kanu is standing trial on six of treason preferred against him by the federal government.
