Trial of the leader of the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at a Federal High Court in Abuja, has been adjourned to the twenty first of October, twenty-twenty one. The trial had resumed without his presence in the court today.
When the matter was called up around eleven thirty am, lead Prosecution counsel , Mr. M. B. Abubakar, informed the court that the case is for hearing although the defendant had not been produced by the Department of State Service (DSS), holding him in custody, owing to logistics problem.
In his submission, Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, reminded the court of an application he filed earlier seeking the transfer of Kanu from DSS custody to a Correctional Center.
In her ruling, the trial judge held that Kanu’s trial cannot proceed in his absence having been arrested and brought into the country, insisting that Kanu must be physically present to witness his trial.
Speaking with journalists later, a former Governor of Anambra State Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, asked journalists to use their platforms to ensure that justice is seen to be done.
According to him, Nigeria is on trial and the press should lead in the defence of the country.
Also speaking, Ohaneze lawyer, Chief Godwin Uwazuruike, who led a team of Igbo lawyers, “otu okaiwu in Abuja” said the judiciary in Nigeria is on trial and how they handle the case will determine to a large extent how they are viewed by the world.
He maintained that what they want is justice and not technicality as played out in the court yesterday.
In his reaction, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor revealed that they had asked the court to investigate the invasion of Kanu’s country home in Umuahia since two years ago so he could come and face his trial but regretted that so far nothing has happened until his abduction and torture last month.
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