Kanu to remain in detention as court rejects bail application

The Federal High Court, Abuja has dismissed a fresh bail application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kanu had in a fresh application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Alloy Ejimakor, on February 5, prayed the court to grant him bail on “most liberal terms” owing to his deteriorating health, pending the determination of the seven-count charge against him.

Ejimakor had told the court that the IPOB leader had a serious health condition that was confirmed by a Federal Government-owned hospital. He said the series of tests that were conducted on Kanu showed that he was suffering from hypertension and acute heart disease.

“Our humble submission is that the medical condition of the defendant speaks for itself and the health challenge persists, despite the treatment offered him by the detaining authority,” he said, adding that Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) posed a threat to his life.

On the court’s observation that Kanu once jumped bail, Ejimakor argued that the development had become academic in view of the findings and judgements of various courts on the issue.

On his part, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to the Federal Government, opposed the bail application, insisting that there was no guarantee that Kanu would make himself available for trial once released from detention.

Ruling on the application on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed the bail application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the seven-count treasonable felony and terrorism charge preferred against the IPOB leader.

Justice Nyako, who held that the court could not grant Kanu bail on the fresh application having rejected an earlier one, urged Kanu to appeal the earlier decision of the court refusing him bail.