Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was denied bail by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday.
However, the court mandated an expedited hearing in the case involving the controversial IPOB leader, who is accused of crimes that might be considered treasonous.
Since his arrest in June 2021, Kanu has been under the care of the Department of State Services (DSS), and he was hauled before the court on Tuesday.
Judge Nyako issued a ruling in which she declared that the prosecution could only be granted an expedited hearing on the case and directed the prosecution to summon its first witness.
Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s attorney, voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision. He stated that if the IPOB leader’s legal team is not given a chance to communicate with their client, the procedures cannot continue.
Ejimakor continued, saying that it has been challenging to meet with Kanu while he is under the DSS’s custody because their talks are constantly being recorded and because Kanu continues to wear the same clothing that the court has ordered be changed.
He claimed that his client had been treated unfairly, which was against the Nigerian Constitution.
He conveyed his displeasure with Kanu’s legal team and requested that the case be put on hold so that they may speak with their client. The court agreed to this request.