Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court has granted bail to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in the sum of N300 million with the sureties in like sum, on health grounds.
One of the sureties must must be a senior and high recognised Nigerian of Igbo decent, the second surety must be a highly recognised believer in Judaism, while the third must be resident with landed property in Abuja.
They are also expected to deposit their international passport with the court, while Kanu was specifically barred from granting any interview, not to be in crowd exceeding 10 people, no rallies till trial ends, while his health report should be availed the court monthly.
The trial judge while delivering her ruling on Kanu’s bail application held that the IPOB leader must depose to an affidavit that he will be available in court to face his trial.
She held that Kanu had based his bail application on health grounds and added that, “I am of the view that it is only a living person that can appear in court for trial.
“I hereby exercised my discretion to grant the first defendant (Kanu) bail and refused the baill application of his co-defendants”, the Judge said and added that Kanu’s health challenge cannot be handled by the medical facilities at the Kuje prison.
Earlier, the court strucked out the request by the IPOB leader and his co-defendants, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi for variation of her earlier order for protection of prosecution witnesses.
The Judge held that the defendants have not provided anything new in their earlier argument for the variation of the order.
Meanwhile, Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State Governor who was in the Abuja court as early as 9: 00am hugged and had a brief chat with Kanu before the court started sitting.
Fayose, who said he was in court, in solidarity with the Biafra leader added that he salute Kanu’s spirit adding that the IPOB leader will one day walk as a free man in the country.
He said even though he was not from the Igbo extraction, he decided to come to court to show solidarity as somebody who believe in justice, as, according to him, the country belongs to all Nigerians.
Trial was adjourned till July 11 and 12, 2017 for commencement.
Kanu and his co-defendants are standing trial on a five count charge bordering on treasonable felony and their alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.
