The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, rejected the bail application of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Tuesday. However, the court agreed to prioritize a speedy trial for Kanu, who heads the outlawed group. During the last adjourned date, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, had requested the court to grant bail to his client before the trial began, citing his client’s deteriorating health and the threat to his life posed by his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS). Ejimakor argued that the detention of the IPOB leader would prevent him from putting up a good defence in the matter. The Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to deny the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing. He pointed out that the DSS has a medical facility that can take care of Kanu, who had previously jumped bail and had failed to declare, under oath, that he would not do so again if granted bail.
