The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing in the seven-count treasonable felony charge filed by the Federal Government against the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, whose trial began afresh following the reassignment of his case to Justice James Omotosho, pleaded not guilty to the charges. His case had previously been handled by Justice Binta Nyako, who recused herself after Kanu accused her of bias.
Justice Nyako had initially adjourned the case indefinitely, but the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, later reassigned it to Justice Omotosho, necessitating Kanu’s fresh plea on Friday.
During the proceedings, Kanu, now represented by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), tendered a written apology for his outburst in court on February 10 when his trial was adjourned indefinitely.
He expressed remorse for his emotional reaction and sought forgiveness from Justice Nyako and the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
Agabi, SAN, while delivering the apology, acknowledged that his client had been overwhelmed by emotions but stressed that he should not have spoken in anger.
“My lord, in expressing his anger, he attacked the Federal High Court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor and his own lawyers.
“I hereby apologize to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologize to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.
“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man, but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but was only defending the cause of Igbo people, who are resilient, fearless, and using their God-given talents to give a good account of themselves. We may have misgivings, but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence,” Agabi said.
In response, Awomolo, SAN, said he had forgiven Kanu, adding that his objective was not to persecute him but to ensure the matter was resolved expeditiously.
With both parties in agreement, the prosecution requested an adjournment to assemble its witnesses. Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the trial to April 29, May 2, and May 6 for a full hearing.
The court noted that Kanu’s trial had been ongoing for over a decade. He was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return from the United Kingdom. He spent about 18 months in detention before being granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017.
Upon meeting his bail conditions, he was released from Kuje Prison on April 28, 2017. However, he fled the country after soldiers raided his residence in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, in an operation that resulted in the deaths of some of his followers.
Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and was extraordinarily renditioned back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. He has since been in the custody of the Department of State Services.
On April 8, 2022, the trial court struck out eight of the 15 charges against Kanu, citing a lack of substance. Later, on October 13, 2022, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal quashed the remaining charges and ordered his immediate release.
However, the Federal Government appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court, which on December 15, 2023, overturned the appellate court’s decision, allowing the trial to proceed on the remaining seven counts.
With the trial now set to resume in full force, all eyes will be on the proceedings as the high-profile case enters its next phase.