Court Remands Nnamdi Kanu In DSS Custody Till July 26

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Justice Binta Nyako gave the order while granting the application by the prosecution.
The counsel to the prosecution, S. M. Labaran, applied to the court to remand Kanu in custody.
Labaran also applied that the trial of Kanu that was earlier slated for October 20, be brought forward.
Kanu, who appeared without legal representation, told the court that his house was earlier invaded.
So, he had to go underground.
The court ordered that Kanu be remanded in DSS facility and adjourned his matter to July 26 and 27.
The court also ordered for accelerated hearing and asked the prosecution to inform Kanu’s lawyer of the proceeding in court.
Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, said that he did not see his client until he left the court premises.
Also present at the court premises was activist, Omoyele Sowore, who said that he came to court when he heard that Kanu was appearing in court.
According to him, he stood in solidarity with Kanu as he had been in a similar situation.
Earlier at a press conference, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had confirmed Kanu’s arrest.
The text of the press conference read, “Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.
“Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born September 25, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued October 17, 2013, at FESTAC, Lagos.
“It is recalled that Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015, on 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.
“A judge at the Federal High Court, Abuja revoked Kanu’s bail that was granted him on health ground and issued a bench warrant for his arrest on the same date, over his failure to appear in court for hearing.
“He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian state and institutions.
“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence, especially in the South-East that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, paramilitary, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.”
Meanwhile, the self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, opened up on why he escaped from the country inspite of the criminal charges of terrorism and treasonable felony brought against him by the Federal Government.
Looking heavily weighed down, Kanu, who was brought to court for the continuation of trial shortly after he was intercepted by security operations, sought the permission of Justice Binta Nyako to address the court and present his side of the story.
Upon the permission, Kanu told the court in the presence of heavily armed security operatives that his house was unlawfully invaded by security men with his life seriously threatened.
The self-acclaimed Biafran leader further alleged that he would have been killed along with others on the day of the invasion if not for the wisdom he applied to jump out of the country.
Kanu’s reaction was provoked by the Federal Government’s information through its counsel, Shuaib Labaran that Kanu jumped the bail granted by the court to escape trial by running out of the country.
Labaran had applied to the court for an order to remand Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS).
The counsel said the request became imperative because lawyers to Kanu were yet to be abreast of his re-arrest.
Justice Binta Nyako granted the request and ordered that Kanu be remanded in the custody of DSS till July 26 for the continuation of his trial.
Although the continuation of trial was originally slated for October 20, 2021, it was brought downward to July 26, 2021, for his lawyers to appear for his defense.
Kanu appeared to have been given the VIP treatment while being moved out of court.
He was taken away in handcuffs through a special gate reserved for judges, and highly placed persons from where he was moved to the DSS detention centre.
Hordes of photographers and cameramen who had positioned themselves to take his photographs were disappointed upon discovery that Kanu had been taken away.