Court denies Kanu bail again
Binta Nyako, justice of the federal high court, has denied Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and three other accused persons bail.
Delivering a ruling on an application for bail filed by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s counsel, on Thursday, she held that the offences the defendants — Kanu, Benjamin Nmadubugwu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe and David Nwawusi — were charged with were not entirely bailable.
She said the charge of treasonable felony, which hands on the necks of the defendants, attracts a life sentence.
Nyako, therefore, denied them bail on the grounds that their case was sensitive to national security.
On the argument of Kanu’s counsel that President Muhammadu Buhari made a statement on national TV tacitly declaring the IPOB leader guilty of the offence, she said: “The president has freedom of speech; he can express his opinion on any matter.”
Nyako is third judge to handle Kanu’s trial after two other judges withdrew from the case.
John Tsoho, the second judge to withdraw from the trial after Ahmed Mohammed, had denied Kanu bail, remanding him in Kuje prison where he has been for months.
In October 2015, a magistrate court discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges of terrorism, but the Department of States Services (DSS), kept him in detention.
Also, in December 2015, Adeniyi Ademola, justice of the federal high court, granted Kanu unconditional bail, but the DSS refused to release him.
a day shall come when Buhari will be in a haste to release Nnamdi kanu…… believe me
She said: “The president has freedom of speech; he can express his opinion on any matter.”
With all respect to Hon. Justice Nyako, the president of a country like Nigeria with its military hierarchy structure basically passing judgement publicly on a case he has personal interest and influence on, has nothing anymore to do with just freedom of speech.
How should one simply now assume that her Judgement, even if it were in favor of the bail application, was not delivered in rebuff of the presidential influence or as it now stands in denial of the said bail application was not under duress of the influence of the president.
It is simply on this note that situations that could lay the foundation for anarchy should strictly be avoided by people of authority in a constitutional democracy. Thanks
Freedom of speech for Buhari…treason for Kanu who is also expressing his alienable rights of self determination!