By Baron Ike
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial bordering on treasonable felony was on Tuesday, April 25 granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Binta Nyako who gave the ruling said her decision to release Kanu on bail was based on health grounds. The bail was also came with some very hard conditions.
The court held that the IPOB leader must produce three sureties: “A highly respected and recognised Jewish leader,” a “highly placed person of Igbo extraction such as a Senator” as well as “a highly respected person who is resident and owns landed property in Abuja.” Each of the sureties are to deposit N100 million each.
Other conditions for Kanu’s bail include, being barred from attending any rally or granting any form of interview. “I must stress it here that the defendant must not attend any rally. He must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons,” the Nyako warned.
Justice Nyako equally ruled that Kanu who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, must sign an undertaken to make himself available for trial at all times.
Besides, Kanu was ordered to surrender his Nigerian and British passports. But the court ordered the federal government to return Kanu’s wedding ring and reading glasses.
However, Kanu’s co-defendants, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, were denied bail by the court which has fixed July 11 and 12 to commence trial on their matter.
According to the judge, treasonable felony – the charges against them is a serious offence against the state. Also, Nyako refused the application by Kanu to vary her previous order on protecting witnesses in the matter.
Nyako said the witnesses who have been identified as security operatives cannot be exposed in the course of the trial, hence she further held that the witnesses will be identified with alphabets during the trial.
After the ruling, Kanu was returned to Kuje Prison pending perfection of his bail conditions, but a thunderous applause greeted the ruling not only in Abuja, but across some states in the South East and South South where is followers have been keeping keen eye on the court development.
During Tuesday’s trial, Governor Ayode Fayose of Ekiti State and former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka were among the dignitaries that were in court to felicitate with the IPOB leader.