Kanu had in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Aloy Ejimakor, on February 5, prayed the court to grant him bail on “most liberal terms” owing to his deteriorating health.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the followers of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, not engage in violence, over his fresh bail application which was dismissed by the court.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed the fresh application the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, filed to be released on bail, pending the determination of the charge the Nigerian government preferred against him.
Rather, trial Justice Binta Nyako ordered an accelerated hearing of the government's seven-count charge against him.
Kanu had in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Aloy Ejimakor, on February 5, prayed the court to grant him bail on “most liberal terms” owing to his deteriorating health.
Ejimakor had argued that there was no dispute that the IPOB leader has a serious health condition that was confirmed by a federal government-owned hospital.
Specifically, he disclosed that series of tests that were conducted on Kanu, showed that he was suffering from hypertension and acute heart disease.
“Our humble submission is that the medical condition of the defendant speaks for itself and the health challenge persists, despite the treatment offered him by the detaining authority,” Ejimako added.
He maintained that Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services, DSS, posed a threat to his life, adding the freeing the defendant on bail would enable him to effectively prepare his defence to the charge.
Besides, Ejimakor noted that the seeming delay in the prosecution of the case was the fault of the government which he said had repeatedly amended the charge.
On the court’s observation that Kanu once jumped bail, Ejimakor argued that the development had become academic in view of findings and judgements of various courts on the issue.
However, Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, while reacting to the development urged Nigerian youths to be patient.
This was contained in the statement issued by the national spokesperson, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, saying the IPOB leader did not support arson or bloodshed.
The group stated, “Today, Tuesday 19th March 2024 the Federal High Court Abuja deliberated on the case of our Son and Brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Nigerian youths expected that he will be granted bail after spending several months in incarceration. This case has been adjourned till 17th of April 2024.
“I wish to appeal to all Nigerian Youths to exercise some patience and avoid any act that would lead to the destruction of life and property. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has made it very clear on many occasions that he will not support any act of arson or bloodshed.
“We put our trust in the divine providence of almighty God and by God’s grace, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be free from incarceration very soon. I appeal to everyone to be patient.”
Meanwhile, Kanu’s case was adjourned till April 17, 2024.