The Nigerian
Government has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to revoke the bail granted
to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and return
him
to prison.
According ot
the government, that Kanu has breached the conditions attached to the bail
granted him on April 25 this year on health ground and has allegedly conducted
himself in manners that threaten public peace. It also cited Kanu’s alleged
threat that elections would not hold in South East states until the governmnet
conducts a referendum on whether or not Biafra should secede.
The
government, in a counter-motion, dated August 1, 2017 filed by Magaji Labaran
of the Federal Ministry of Justice, urged the court to dismiss an application
by Kanu, seeking a review of the bail conditions. It noted that not only
had Kanu met the bail conditions and was enjoying the bail, it was an affront
to the court’s authority for the IPOB leader to approach the court for the
review of the bail conditions, having allegedly breached the conditions.
“The
offence for which he (Kanu) is standing trial is not ordinarily bailable; the
court, not withstanding, granted bail to the 1st defendant/applicant (Kanu) on
health grounds on 25th April 2017. Among other conditions for the bail of
the 1st defendant is that he should not be seen in a crowd exceeding 10 people;
that he should not grant any interviews, hold or attend any rallies; that he
should file, in court, medical updates of his health status every month. The
bail conditions were perfected by the 1stdefendant/applicant, which he is
currently enjoying".
“Rather
than observing all the conditions listed above, the 1st defendant, in fragrant
disobedience to the court order, flouted all conditions given by the court. The
1st defendant equally incited his members to disrupt, disallow and boycott
elections in South East states, starting with Anambra State gubernatorial
election scheduled for November 18 if the Federal Government failed to hold
referendum for the realisation of the state of Biafra. The 1st defendant has
already declared the bail conditions given by the court unconstitutional before
approaching this court with the application for variation. Rather than showing
remorse for his actions, the 1st defendant approached this court with an
application for a review of the same conditions for the bail which he grossly
flouted".
“Considering
the above, that the 1st applicant has violated the conditions on which the
terms of his bail were premised, we urge this court to commit the
defendant to prison by invoking the provision of Section 173(2)(B) of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. We categorically state that
justice would have been denied the state by this court, if the state is not
protected from the offences being perpetrated by the 1stdefendant/applicant,
who is currently on bail,” the Federal Government said.
Kanu and
four other suspected IPOB members Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu,
David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie are being tried before the Federal High
Court, Abuja on offences relating to conspiracy and treasonable felony.
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