Chisaa Okoye
Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of a fugitive leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kanu, who is standing trial on treasonable felony charges was granted bail in 2017 by Justice Nyako but he jumped bail and fled the country.
Kanu has been in the forefront of agitation for an independent Biafran nation, and has through his Radio Biafra instigated Nigerians within and outside the country, particularly those from the Southeast extraction to join in the agitation for a Biafra country, which many have come to realise, was self-serving.
The proscribed IPOB and the Eastern Security Network, a parallel security outfit he floated, have been linked to the recent mayhem in the hitherto peaceful South eastern part of the country.
Justice Nyako ordered his remand following an application by a federal government lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, told journalists at a joint press briefing with the DSS and Police on Tuesday that the separatist was arrested on Sunday, June 27, 2021. He however did not give details on where and how he was arrested.
Ruling on the request for his remand in the custody of the DSS, Justice Nyako ordered the prosecution to inform Kanu’s lawyer of his rearrest and remand in the DSS custody. The judge has adjourned till July 26 for continuation of his trial.