The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), until 19 March.
The judge fixed a new date for the Nigerian government to begin calling its prosecution witnesses against the IPOB leader, Mr Kanu.
Binta Nyako, the judge, before whom Mr Kanu is being tried by the Nigerian government for terrorism, fixed the date for commencement of trial.
At the adjourned date, the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, promised to call at least two witnesses that day. Mr Awomolo’s appearance on Monday is an indication of the federal government’s drastic shake-up of its prosecution team. It’s the first time an external prosecutor will be leading the federal government’s team since the case started in 2015.
The Supreme Court last December restored Mr Kanu’s trial after setting aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal freeing the IPOB leader.
Mr Kanu is standing trial for terrorism before Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mr Kanu’s trial resumed on Monday following the Supreme Court judgement on 15 December 2023.
At the resumed proceedings on Monday, Mr Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, argued a fresh application for his client bail.
Mr Ejimakor hinged his client’s bail request on provisions of the Nigerian constitution that provides that a defendant is entitled to adequate time and resources to prepare for his defence.
Also, the lawyer raised a plethora of issues hampering effective preparation of the IPOB leader for his defence.
Mr Ejimakor decried the attitude of operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) who he said often “eavesdrop” on confidential conversations between Mr Kanu and his legal team.
He raised concerns about Mr Kanu’s deteriorating health condition, urging the judge to release the IPOB lead on bail.
But, the prosecuting lawyer, Mr Awolowo, disagreed with Mr Ejimakor.
Mr Awolowo told the judge to dismiss Mr Kanu’s bail application, and the preliminary objection to the commencement of trial.