By Ajuma Edwina Ameh
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to have “maximum possible comfort” while in their custody.
Justice Binta Nyako handed down the order following the shift in the trial date to January 18, 2022, for hearing of pending applications which include the jurisdiction of the court and competence of the charge.
The shift in the trial date follows the abridgment of time granted by the Judge after a plea to that effect.
Kanu’s Counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had approached the court with an application seeking an order of the court to accommodate the trial in November and December this year.
However, the Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr Shuaib Labaran, told the court that a counter affidavit opposing the request by the Federal Government has been filed and served on Kanu.
Justice Nyako informed Kanu’s lawyer that the application for time abridgment cannot be considered because there is no judicial time for such an issue.
Persecondnews reports that Kanu is facing a seven-count amended treasonable felony charge preferred against him by the Federal Government, and has been in DSS custody since his abduction and forced extradition from Kenya in June 2021.
He is also being tried for treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
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