BREAKING: DSS fails to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court, judge adjourns trial till October

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu till October 21, 2021.

The Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce Kanu in court on Monday, due to what it called “logistic reasons.”

Lead counsel to the prosecution, M. B. Abubakar, informed the court that the case is slayed for hearing, adding that although the defendant has not been produced by the DSS, the prosecution is ready to proceed with the trial.‌





He, however, requested the court to proceed with the trial without a fiat taking into consideration that the court has commenced vacation and the trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako was not one of the vacation judges.

Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court of an application he filed seeking the transfer of Kanu from DSS custody to the correctional centre.

Ejiofor told the court that the DSS had denied the lawyers and family the opportunity to see Kanu.

“I was informed authoritatively, I am speaking from the bar, that Nnamdi Kanu has been taken out of jurisdiction of this court.

“We have been denied access to Kanu in the last 10 days. We are worried about his safety and don’t know why the Federal Government refused to bring him in court,” Ejiofor said.

Justice Nyako, in a short ruling, held that Kanu’s trial cannot continue in his absence, having been arrested and brought into the country.

She insisted that Kanu must physically be brought to court since he is now available to face his trial, urging the prosecution to ensure that Kanu is in court to witness his trial.

Nyako ordered the DSS to allow the lawyers to have access to Kanu.

The judge also said Many should remain in DSS custody.

Source: newspeakonline