The trial of the leader of the indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at a Federal High Court in Abuja, has resumed without the presence of the defendant in court.
When the matter came up for hearing, the lead counsel to the prosecution, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, informed the Court that although the defendant had not been produced by the Department of State Service, DSS, they were ready to proceed.
Abubakar, while acknowledging that the matter was slated for hearing, told the court that he was ready to proceed in Kanu’s absence, adding that he has three witnesses ready to testify.
The Prosecution however sought the court’s direction on whether the matter could go on, considering that the High Court has commenced its annual vacation.
He argued that it would be impossible to proceed with the case in the absence of a Fiat from the Chief Judge of the High Court.
On his part, Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor told the court that the life of his client was in danger.
Ejiofor told the court that he had been unable to have access to his client for the past 10 days.
“My lord, speaking from the Bar, I got it on good authority that my client has been taken away, outside the jurisdiction of this court”, Ejiofor added.
Responding, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, held that the trial of Mazi Kanu would not proceed in the absence of Kanu, having been arrested and brought into the Country.
“I am also worried why the Defendant is not here. The first step in a criminals matter is to provide the Defendant in court. He is not here.
The judge insisted that Kanu must be physically brought to court since he was now available to face his trial.
The court urged the prosecution to ensure that Kanu be brought to court to witness his trial.
The matter was therefore adjourned until the 21st of October, 2021.
