Inside Nigeria
End of Road for Nnamdi Kanu, Handcuffed, Sneaked From London to Abuja
Wanted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been arrested in the United Kingdom by the Federal Government and brought to the Federal High Court, Abuja, Tuesday by heavy security operatives.
According to report, Kanu was blindfolded and sneaked into the courtroom by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in handcuffs while his legs were also chained.
He was hurriedly taken to Court 2 where the presiding judge told the prosecution lawyer, Shuaib Labaran to inform the defence counsel of the new date for the continuation of the trial.
Journalists were prevented from filming Kanu as he was shielded and taken through the back door.
The prosecution applied that Kanu jumped bail and wanted him to be remanded at DSS custody.
The court granted the application.
Justice Muritala Nyanko has adjourned the matter to July 26, 2021.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Tuesday announced that Kanu was intercepted by operatives of Nigeria’s security intelligence.
Kanu was on October 14, 2015, arraigned by the Nigerian Government over allegations of terrorism, money laundering, treason, etc.
On March 28, 2019, his bail condition was revoked by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court.
The Court ordered that Kanu, be remanded in Department of State Service (DSS) facility, pending the determination of his trial.
Justice Binta Nyako gave the order after counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that the defendant (Kanu), who jumped bail, had been arrested and produced in court.
Labaran urged the court for an order detaining the arrested IPOB leader at the DSS facility pending the hearing and determination of the matter.
Justice Nyako, who granted the plea, adjourned the matter until July 26 for trial continuation.
However, no sooner had the judge ruled than Kanu indicated his interest to talk.
He told the court that he decided to go underground because his house was raided but he was able to escape.
Kanu said if he had not escaped, he might have been killed like other members of the group.
The judge, who advised him not to feel discomfiture to stand his trial, urged him to get across to his lawyer for the trial.