Justice Binta Nyako of the federal high court in Abuja has threatened to adjourn indefinitely the trial of the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, until his defense team is ready for trial.
This followed the submission of Mr Kanu’s lead counsel Alloy Ejimakor that they are not ready for trial, contrary to the submission of the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, that they are ready and have a witness present in court.
Mr Ejimakor had at the beginning of proceedings moved two applications, one on restoration of Mr Kanu’s bail pursuant to section 169 of the Administration of criminal justice Act and another on the change of remand facility, on ground that the DSS facility where Mr Kanu is being held is not conducive for the defendant and his lawyers to have a conference in preparation for trial.
In view of the accelerated hearing granted by the court, there is need for Mr Kanu to be well prepared for his trial, but the facility where he is being kept is not making it easy for them.
Counsel to the prosecution Adegboyega Awomolo urged the court to dismiss the application as the defense has not stated cogent reasons why the application should be allowed.
The trial judge, Justice Nyako adjourned to May 20 to rule on both application before the court, and ordered that the prosecution commence trial.
However, the defense lawyer, Mr Ejimakor opposed to the commencement of trial, stating that on grounds of the application before the court, Mr Kanu’s legal team is not ready, as they would need a better environment other than the DSS facility to be able to prepare for trial.
He also accused the DSS of having hidden cameras around the meeting room where they are supposed to prepare for the said trial.
The trial Judge however stood down the matter for 10 mins for the defense lawyers to have a quick meeting with Mr Kanu.
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