Ahead of the commencement of the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing prosecution of treasonable felony charges against him, the Federal Government has engaged the services of a legal luminary..……CONTINUE READING>>>>>>
Court sets March 19 to rule on bail application, adjourns trial till March 20
Ahead of the commencement of the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing prosecution of treasonable felony charges against him, the Federal Government has engaged the services of a legal luminary, Adegboyega Awomolo, to lead its legal team against in the trial of Kanu.
Awomolo is taking over from David Kaswe, a senior lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, who has been handling the case for the Federal Government.
In the same vein, Kanu has engaged new lawyers for his defense. His trial was expected to resume at the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday.
It was gathered that a new team of lawyers led by Pam Ejiofor and Alloy Ejimakor was to take over Kanu’s defense in the seven-count charges.
No reason has been given for the change in the legal team, which was, hitherto, led by Mike Ozekhome and Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
MEANWHILE, the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned Kanu’s bail application to March 19.
Justice Binta Nyako also scheduled the long-awaited trial of Kanu for March 20.
A hearing notice dated February 8, 2023, fixed yesterday for the commencement of proceedings, but Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimako, asked that his bail application and preliminary objection be heard.
The Federal Government’s new lead counsel, Awomolo, told Justice Nyako that the Supreme Court affirmed its decision of April 8, 2022, which order that Kanu be tried on counts 1,2,3,4,5,8 and 15 of the terrorism-related charges for which the defendant has pleaded not guilty.
He told the judge that the prosecution is interested in proceeding with the hearing of this matter till conclusion in the interest of the nation.
Nnaemeka Ejiofor announced for Kanu but Alloy Ejimako spoke on behalf of the legal team.
He said that it was quite obvious that the Supreme Court remitted the case back to the court, but he had two motions, one for bail and the other for preliminary objection.
Awolowo said he will be opposing the application for bail, and that he needs time to reply to Kanu’s further affidavit on bail.
But Ejimako told Justice Nyako that his further affidavit on bail was served the same day.
The judge said the application for bail does not stop the commencement of trial.
Ejimako said if the bail application was not going to be taken, “then let everybody go home and let us respond to all issues.”
However, after hearing the parties, Nyako fixed March 19 for bail, while March 20 for the commencement of trial.……CONTINUE READING>>>>>>
