The Federal High Court in Nigeria has denied bail to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of a Nigerian separatist organisation IPOB for the second time in as many months.
The head of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is facing allegations of terrorism and treason, which he rejects.
Kanu, a British national with a British passport, was detained in Kenya a year ago and transferred to Nigeria, where the secret police are holding him.
Trial Judge Binta Nyako rejected Kanu’s most recent request, stating that he had not provided a sufficient explanation for breaking the bail terms that had been placed on him in 2017.
She claimed that the lawsuit was an attempt to continue arguing about topics that had already been decided and was a flagrant abuse of the legal system. The case has been adjourned till November 14.
IPOB wants a group of states in southeast Nigeria, primarily made up of Igbo people, to secede and become the sovereign country of Biafra.
It would be recalled that in 2015, Nnamdi Kanu was first charged and arrested for treason, unlawful possession of arms, and illegal importation of broadcast equipment at a Federal High Court in Abuja in 2015. Fast forward to June 29, 2021, the controversial secessionist was arrested and extradited back to Nigeria.
His arrest led to IPOB declaring a Monday sit-at-home order across the South-East, a directive which grounded economic and business activities in the region.
Several communities in the South-East were on ‘Lockdown’ every Monday as markets, schools, banks, motor parks, and even worship centres were closed following threats of violence and mayhem perpetrated by IPOB/ESN militants.
During this time, INEC offices, security facilities, and other Government offices were attacked and torched; a passenger was also burnt alive in Nkwogu, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State. The bus was commuting from Umuahia, the Abia state capital, when IPOB militants ambushed the vehicle and attacked the commuters.