Court Fixes New Date For Nnamdi Kanu's Trial

The Federal High Court Abuja has fixed January 27, 2021, as the new date for continuation of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Recall the Nnamdi Kanu’s trial in absentia was fixed for hearing today (Thursday) but both Kanu and his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor were absent in court.

A lawyer in a sister case, E. Ejiofor told the court that Kanu’s lawyer had asked him to draw the attention of the court to a letter he wrote explaining why he was not in court.

In the letter, Kanu’s lawyer explained that he got the information for the new date of November 26 on November 25. This, according to NAN.

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Ejiofor said he had travelled out of Abuja, and could not make it back on time to attend court due to the short notice.

The prosecuting counsel, Shuaibu Labaran, however, objected to the letter noting that it was dated November 24th and not November 25th as claimed.

Labaran pointed out that there has been a deliberate attempt to frustrate the continuation of the case by the defence counsel.

He said that in the absence of the defence lawyer, the prosecution would be compelled to ask for an adjournment but with cost to the defendant.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako then adjourned the matter until January 27, warning that the matter will be presided over on the new date even if the defence counsel was absent from court.

Justice Nyako noted that cost would be determined at the end of the trial.