On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a new application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking release on bail pending the determination of the treasonable felony charges against him. The ruling, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, stated that the court was not inclined to favor Kanu, who had previously jumped bail.
Justice Nyako noted that Kanu’s sureties had requested to be discharged from their obligations after he fled the country, leading the court to order the forfeiture of their N100 million bail bonds. This issue is currently before the Court of Appeal. The court has repeatedly denied Kanu's bail requests, leaving the appellate court as his only option.
Kanu also requested to be transferred to prison custody or placed under house arrest, which the court denied. However, it instructed the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Kanu access to his lawyers, not exceeding five at a time, on every visiting day. Kanu must be provided with a clean place to consult with his lawyers and access to a doctor of his choice.
Justice Nyako warned Kanu’s legal team that filing similar applications would be considered an abuse of the judicial process and advised them to appeal the decision if they wish.
Kanu was initially arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon returning from the United Kingdom. He was granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after 18 months in detention, and released from Kuje prison on April 28, 2017. He later fled the country after a military raid on his home in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, during which some of his followers were killed. Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and extradited to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. Since June 29, 2021, he has been held in DSS custody.
On April 8, 2022, the court dismissed eight out of the 15 charges against him, finding them unsubstantial. On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered Kanu’s release and quashed the charges, citing the government's illegal rendition of Kanu from Kenya. The Federal Government appealed to the Supreme Court, which, on December 15, 2023, overturned the appellate court’s decision and allowed the trial to proceed on the remaining seven charges.
