The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday rejected the fresh bail application by the detained leader of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Binta Nyako said the application was a gross abuse of the court process.
According to her, Kanu’s application is an attempt to continue to litigate the issues that have already been ruled on.
The ruling on the bail application is coming about a month after the court declined to release Kanu on bail on May 18, 2022.
Nyako, however, advised Kanu to approach the Court of Appeal on the issue of bail, if he is not satisfied with the decision of the court.
She noted that since the ruling of July 2017 when Kanu was granted bail till date, the suit has suffered 15 adjournments and the case has yet to enter a substantive hearing.
“I’m not satisfied with the reason the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.”
Nyako said from the records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties and he has never been denied a fair hearing.
“A court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason.
“In the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.”
Nyako ruled that the IPOB leader must explain why he breached the previous bail that was given to him before he could enjoy another favorable discretion from the court.
November 14 has been fixed for the mention of the case and the outcome of Kanu’s appeal at the appellate court.
Leave a comment