*Abaribe, others to explain Kanu's whereabouts,
March 28
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the
separation of trial of the self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from that of his three other co-accused.
Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and
David Nwawuisi are currently facing an amended six-count charge bordering on
treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, preferred
against them by the federal government.
The separation order was sequel to an application
brought by Prosecution Counsel, Shuaibu Labaran.
The counsel had at the resumed trial yesterday
sought the guidance of the court as regards further proceedings of the trial
taken into consideration the presence of only three of the defendants in court.
According to him, the absence of the 1st defendant
(Kanu) having granted bail since April last year has frustrated progress in the
case.
"We shall be asking for the indulgence of the
court to separate the charges so that progress can be made in the matter,"
he pleaded.
However, counsel to the 1st to 3rd defendants did
not object to the separation of the trial.
Ruling on the application, the trial judge, Justice
Binta Nyako, agreed with the prosecution that Kanu's absence since when he was
granted bail last year had actually stalled trial of the case and consequently
ordered that the trial of Kanu be separated from the rest.
Following the ruling of the court, Labaran
requested for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution amended the charges
to reflect the current position of the trial. "We need to do the needful
to make the record of the court neater," he added.
Responding, counsel to the 2nd defendant, Eric
Ifere, asked the court for a definite trial window and how the case will be
conducted to guide counsel in the matter.
Similarly, counsel to the 3rd defendant, P.A.N
Ejiofor, urged the court to prevail on the prosecution to ensure the amendment
and service is done on time to enable them adequately prepare their response.
The court consequently adjourned till March 20, 21,
and 22 for the amended charge to be read to the defendants and continuation of
trial.
The court, however, adjourned till March 28 for the
1st defendant to be produced in court or his sureties appear in court to
explain the whereabouts of Kanu.
Earlier, prosecution counsel had told the court
that the business of the court yesterday was for Abaribe and two other sureties
to give reason why they would not forfeit the bond for Kanu's bail or for the
court to take necessary action provided by the law.
He however informed the court of a letter from
Abaribe's counsel seeking adjournment of the matter on grounds of a matter at
the Supreme Court.
The court had on April 25, 2017, granted Kanu bail
in the sum of N100million.
The bail was to enable him attend to his ailing
health condition.
The judge in addition ordered that the defendant
produces three sureties with N100million each.
The court however noted that the sureties to be
provided by Kanu should include a highly respected Jewish leader, since
according to her, the defendant claimed Judaism as his religion.
Another of the sureties, according to the judge,
should be a senior and highly placed individual of Igbo extraction and in the
ranking of a senator, while the last is expected to be a respected individual
resident in Abuja with proof of ownership of landing property.
In addition Justice Nyako said Kanu must never be
seen in a crowd of more than 10 people. "No interviews and no
rallies," said Nyako.
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