Court Remands Nnamdi Kanu, Fixes Trial For July 26

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered that leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, be remanded at a Department of State Service (DSS) facility, pending the determination of his trial. 

Justice Binta Nyako gave the order after Shuaibu Labaran, counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, told the court that Kanu, who jumped bail, had been arrested and produced in court.

Labaran urged the court for an order detaining the arrested IPOB leader at the DSS facility pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

Justice Nyako, who granted the plea, adjourned the matter until July 26 for continuation of trial.

The Federal Government had announced the arrest of Kanu, who had been a fugitive of the law after jumping bail granted him by the Federal High Court.

Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), announced his arrest and extradition to Nigeria on Tuesday.

He said Kanu was arrested and brought on Sunday, following collaborative efforts between security agencies and the International Police Organisation, INTERPOL.

The AGF had hinted that Kanu would be returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja to continue trial on his terrorism and treason-related charges.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), on Tuesday, took Nnamdi Kanu before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja amidst tight security at about 1.30pm.

All the entrance to the court were under locked while the hearing lasted.