The treasonable felony charge against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been postponed to 28th June.
The presiding judge at a Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Binta Nyako had earlier fixed 26th May for the continuation of the trial.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, a member of Kanu’s defence team, Ifeanyi Ejiofor announced that he received a notice from the court that the judge is “indisposed”.
“Please be informed that we have just received communication from the Federal High Court’s registrar, notifying us that the court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, 26th May2022, on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
“According to the registrar, this is because His Lordship, Justice Binta Nyako is indisposed, and as such, the matter is now adjourned to 28th June 2022 for ruling/hearing”, he further said.
Ejiofor urged Kanu’s supporters to remain calm until the end of the trial.
“We most respectfully urge you all to maintain restraint, as you have always done. Keep your eyes on the ball, which is the freedom of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Also, please note that justice delayed is not justice denied. We are aggressively cruising to victory, it is only a matter of time”, he stated
Kanu was re-arraigned on an amended 15-count charge bordering on treasonable felony.
On 8th April, the judge struck out eight of the 15-count charge against Kanu.
While counts 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 were struck out, the defendant is to stand trial on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15.
The lead counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN had also moved an application for bail, urging the court to consider the deteriorating health condition of the defendant.
In her ruling on 18th May, Justice Nyako held that “the application is premature and refused with liberty to refile and reapply”.
The judge recalled that she granted the defendant bail in April 2017, which he later jumped.
She said until the defendant addressed the court on why he jumped bail for over four years, she would not grant any bail application.
