ON FEBRUARY 26, IPOB ATTORNEYS WILL REQUEST NNAMDI KANU’S BAIL.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is expected to be released on bail while his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja is being decided, according to his legal team.

According to the attorneys, they intend to obtain his bail on February 26.

The politician in question has been under detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his extraordinary rendition from Kenya back to Nigeria, at the directives of the Nigerian government.

After Kanu returned, the Appeal Court cleared him of all terrorism-related allegations. However, in December 2023, the Supreme Court reversed the decision and sent the matter back to the Abuja Federal High Court so that the trial may continue.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the continuation of Kanu’s terrorism trial for February 26.

However, Kanu’s constitutional right to counsel and the suitability of the facility to prepare his defense are being negatively impacted by IPOB’s legal team basing Kanu’s bail on his inability to have privacy during meetings with his attorneys.

The “life-threatening medical conditions, namely: the heart ailment, the hypertension, and the potassium deficiency” would also be taken into consideration while determining Kanu’s bail.

In a court document  with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, IPOB’s legal team said: “On the basis of the foregoing, we respectfully urge Your Lordship to admit him to bail on liberal and non-excessive terms.”

“In the Motion on Notice brought in pursuant to sections 6(6), 35 and 36(5), and sections 158, 161 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the legal team will pray the court for “an order of this Honourable Court admitting the Applicant/Defendant to bail pending the determination of his trial.

“AND for such further order or orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances”.