Court Threatens to Adjourn Kanu’s Case 'Sine Dien' Over Delay

An Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, has threatened to adjourn indefinitely the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, if he continues to stall its commencement.

Justice Nyako gave the warning Wednesday when Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, presented conditions for his client’s participation in the trial earlier in the day.

Among others, Ejimakor prayed for the restoration of bail earlier granted the IPOB leader, his relocation from the Department of State Services, DSS, custody, and grant of unrestricted access to his legal counsel to adequately prepare for the trial.

In opposing the prayers, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, labelled the prayers not only as frivolous but also vexatious, irritating, and lacking in merit.

However, Justice Nyako, who fixed ruling on Ejimakor’s prayers for May 20, 2024, emphasized that progress must be made in the case on Wednesday (today) before taking a temporary break for the matter to be sorted out. 

“It is either we open this trial today by prosecution calling witnesses, or I adjourn this matter indefinitely till the time you are ready for trial.

"You cannot continue to hold the court to ransom. I hope you know the consequences of adjourning the trial sine die. You have to make a choice and the choice has to be for you.

“I will rise for some minutes for you to think about this and make a choice and that choice has to be made today," Justice Nyako said shortly before standing down proceedings