Igbo group leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s holiday may be over soon as the Federal Government of Nigeria has asked the court to revoke the bail earlier granted the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The application was attached with a press release and made available to the media on Friday in Abuja, Nigeria by Mr Salihu Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Nigeria’s Minister of Justice.
The government cited disobedience of the bail conditions granted to Kanu as part of the reasons for its request.
In his first national address since returning from medical leave, President Buhari issued a subtle warning to Nnamdi Kanu.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had adjourned Kanu’s criminal trial until October 17.
Although no reason was given for the adjournment, reports say it may not be unconnected with the fact that the Federal High Court has begun its annual vacation.
Kanu is being tried alongside three others – David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe – who were denied bail over alleged treasonable offences.
The trial was earlier scheduled to continue on Tuesday, July 11, after the court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako granted the IPOB leader bail with twelve conditions attached in April.
Among the bail conditions given to Kanu was that he must avoid being seen in any crowd of more than 10 people.
Ejiofor had told journalists after the court session on April 25 that his client would seek the variation of the condition relating to the number of people Kanu could be seen with in public.
It appears he indeed filed the application and the Nigerian government filed a counter affidavit opposing it.
In the present application, the Federal Government is seeking an order of court revoking the bail granted Kanu on April 25.
The government is also seeking an order of court directing the arrest and committing Kanu to custody pending trial as well as any such order the court may deem fit in the circumstance.
The application which has the name of the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr Shuaibu Labaran, explained that the call for revocation of Kanu’s bail was on the grounds that Kanu had breached his bail conditions.
“The 1st defendant (Kanu) is standing trial for alleged offences of conspiracy to commit acts of treasonable felony and other related offences before this court.
“The offence for which he is standing trial is not ordinarily bailable but due to the magnanimity of the court and its quest for justice and fairness, he was granted bail on health grounds.
“Among the other conditions for his bail is that he should not be seen in a crowd exceeding 10 people and he should not grant any interviews, hold or attend any rallies.
“And that he should file in court, medical updates of his health status every month. But rather than observing all of the conditions listed above, Kanu, in flagrant disobedience to the court order, flouted all conditions of the bail.”
According to the government, Kanu has in furtherance to the offence he was charged, inaugurated Biafra Security Service adding that such an act was a grave threat to national security and unity of the country.
An affidavit deposed to by Loveme Odubo, a litigation clerk in the Ministry of Justice, claimed that Kanu held a rally at his residence in his hometown, Afara-UkwuIbeku in Umuahia, Abia.
And that the rally, with a crowd exceeding 10 persons, was captured in a video published on June 1 and circulated around the country through the internet platform of YouTube.
He further deposed that the bail granted Kanu was to enable him take care of his health and not for any other purpose.
In a written address attached to the application, the government wants the court to determine whether the defendant violated the bail conditions set by the court to warrant the revocation of same.