Federal High Court warns of possible indefinite adjournment of Nnamdi Kanu trial due to defense team’s unpreparedness
Justice Nyako schedules ruling on Kanu’s bail applications for May 20, urges prosecution to proceed despite defense’s readiness concerns
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning, indicating a possible indefinite adjournment of the trial concerning Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice Binta Nyako conveyed this after Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s legal representative, informed the court of their unpreparedness for the trial.
The impasse emerged following Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, counsel for the Federal Government, asserting readiness for trial per the court’s previous directive.
Initially, Justice Nyako deliberated on two pending applications filed by Ejimakor on behalf of Kanu.
The first application aimed to reinstate Kanu’s revoked bail from 2017, while the second sought his transfer to house arrest.
Ejimakor contended that the bail revocation stemmed from the prosecution’s actions during a raid on his client’s residence, emphasizing Kanu’s escape as an act of self-preservation, not bail violation.
He further lamented the limited access, which, according to the defence team, hinders adequate preparation for Kanu’s defence, as per Section 36(6) of the constitution.
Contrarily, Awomolo urged the court to dismiss Ejimakor’s arguments, asserting the court’s inability to reverse the bail revocation and highlighting the severity of Kanu’s charges.
Awomolo dismissed the request for house arrest, citing a lack of credible evidence supporting Ejimakor’s claims.
Justice Nyako, scheduling a ruling on both applications for May 20, instructed the prosecution to proceed with its witness.
Despite Awomolo’s readiness to proceed, Ejimakor reiterated their unpreparedness, citing constitutional violations and prompting the judge to threaten indefinite adjournment if proceedings were halted.
Consequently, Ejimakor requested a brief recess to confer with Kanu and the legal team to ascertain trial readiness, which Justice Nyako granted, adjourning the matter for 10 minutes.
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