Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday denied bail to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The court, however, ordered an accelerated hearing of the case against the embattled IPOB leader, who faces charges bordering on treason.
Kanu, who appeared in court on Tuesday, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest in June 2021.
In his ruling, Justice Nyako ruled that the court would only allow an expedited hearing in the matter and directed the prosecution to call its first witness.
Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict.
He said the IPOB director’s legal team could not continue the proceedings unless they had the opportunity to speak to their client.
Ejimakor added that it was difficult to meet Kanu in DSS custody as their conversations were constantly monitored and Kanu was still wearing the same suit that the court had ordered changed.
He alleged unfair treatment of his client, which he claimed violated the Nigerian constitution.
He expressed the dissatisfaction of Kanu’s legal team and requested that the case be adjourned to give them an opportunity to consult with their client, which the court granted.
