BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned further proceedings in the trial of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to May 28.
In the trial on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako fixed the date to rule on an application by Kanu’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome, requesting the court to vacate its earlier order that Kanu must be tried in absentia following his inability to attend the trial.
Ozekhome argued that the court was misled to make that order, insisting that facts are on ground to show why Kanu fled the country involuntarily, as the application shows the circumstances surrounding the fleeing of Kanu, while urging the court to revert to its earlier status accorded bail to Kanu.
The Court had struck out a 6-count amended charge preferred against Kanu by the Federal Government following the withdrawal of the charge by the Federal Government.
Ozekhome had complained to the court that the prosecution was delaying trial by continuous amendment of the charge against his client.
Ozekhome told the court that this was the 7th time the Federal Government amended its charge, an objection to the fresh charge which the court agreed and consequently struck out.
Justice Nyako had earlier in the court proceeding, refused to grant bail to Kanu, saying she was not convinced as to why Kanu breached his previous bail conditions, insisting that Kanu explain his reason for jumping bail before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from the court.
