Treason: Nnamdi Kanu Absent in Court as Trial Resumes

By Dipo Olowookere

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, was on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, not present in court at the resumption of his treason trial.

Mr Kanu was expected to appear before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for continuation of his trial after he was granted bail few months ago, but he was nowhere to be found.

However, his fellow defendants were present at the court today as well as his surety, Senator Eyinaya Abaribe, urged the court to refund the N100 million bond he earlier agreed to be given as part of Mr Kanu’s bail condition.

Mr Abaribe claimed he has not seen the suspect since the invasion of Mr Kanu’s residence on September 11, 2017, by men of the Nigerian Army.

Since the invasion, which led to clashes between IPOB supporters and the Nigerian Army, the whereabouts of Mr Kanu has not been known.

While his supporters claimed the soldiers whisked Mr Kanu away, the Nigerian Army refuted this.

Weeks ago, former Governor of Abia State, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, was reported to have said Mr Kanu sneaked out of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from Malaysia.

Mr Kanu, alongside three other defendants, is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony.

Others standing trial with him are Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

The three defendants were brought to court today by prison officials at about 10am.