The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu was not in court on Thursday at the hearing of his case before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
However, Justice Nyako ordered the secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Kanu to practise his religion freely and enjoy comfort in detention.
Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor who contacted SaharaReporters briefly after the court hearing also said there were no security operatives in the court premises.
Ejimakor also stated that the security agents did not give any reason why his client, Kanu did not appear in court.
The legal practitioner, however, said both the court and the secret police might have agreed that the pro-Biafra secessionist leader’s presence was not necessary.
Ejimakor revealed this in a statement he made available to SaharaReporters on Thursday.
He also noted that the trial judge, Nyako had ordered the DSS to let Kanu interact freely with other inmates, have a change of clothes and be given maximum comfort in their custody.
The statement read, “First, there was total absence of security operatives in court and around the outer perimeters as was the case during previous proceedings.
“Second, Mazi Kanu was not in court and there was no officer from the DSS to explain why. But from what I surmised, both the court and the DSS might’ve concluded that his presence in court was not strictly required in the sort of application that was moved in court today.
“Third, the court did not grant Kanu’s Legal Team the leave to move our application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue the trial. Recall that we had filed such an application, arguing that the extraordinary rendition of Kanu constitutes a constitutional barrier to his trial. The court ruled that the application was not calendared for hearing today. That it will be heard at the next adjourned date.
“Fourth, the court, after going through what it said is a tight judicial calendar, moved the date of the next hearing backwards from 19th to 18th January, 2022.
“Finally, the court ruled that it will entertain all outstanding applications at the next hearing date; and proceeded to make the following Orders:
“That Mazi Kanu be given maximum comfort possible in the detention facility.
“That he be allowed a change of clothing.
“That he be allowed free practice of his Jewish faith including access to his Jewish religious materials.
“That the DSS obey all previous orders granted in the matter, including allowing Kanu any visitor of his choice.
“That Kanu be permitted, at his option, to mingle freely with other inmates or any other persons at the detention facility.”
