Biafra Separatist Leader's Ordeal: Judge Takes Action on Kanu’s Motion on Urgent Medical Attention

• Justice Musa Liman of a federal high court, Abuja, sent back to the chief judge (CJ), a motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for reassignment
• The trial judge ordered the transfer of the case file to the CJ following an application by Kanu’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku (SAN), on the grounds that the court’s annual vacation would end on September 15
• The Biafra separatist leader is seeking an order transferring him from the custody of Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Hospital in Abuja for 'urgent medical attention'

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - Justice Musa Liman of the federal high court, Abuja, has sent a motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), back to John Terhemba Tsoho, the chief justice of the federal high court (CJ).

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As reported by Channels Television on Monday, September 15, Justice Liman took the action in order for the motion to get reassigned.

This Day also noted the development.

Kanu, in the motion ex parte, is seeking an order of the court transferring him to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention.

In a ruling, Justice Liman ordered the transfer of the case file back to the federal high court's CJ, Uchenna Njoku (SAN), following an application by Kanu’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku (SAN). This is considering the fact that the annual vacation of the court will end today, Monday, September 15.

Kanu and his 'offence'

Legit.ng reports that Kanu, a British citizen who leads the banned IPOB movement, was first arrested in 2015 but disappeared from Nigeria while on bail in 2017.

He was subsequently arrested in Kenya in 2021 and charged in Nigeria with seven counts of terrorism. Kanu has pleaded not guilty.

Kanu's trial has been plagued by repeated delays, judicial recusals and denied bail applications, prompting key stakeholders from Nigeria's southeast region to seek negotiations with the Nigerian government.

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Kanu's IPOB campaigns for the secession of southeastern Nigeria, where the majority belong to the Igbo ethnic group. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a terrorist organisation.

Read more on Nnamdi Kanu:

• Nnamdi Kanu: FG makes fresh demand from court on IPOB leader
• Yul Edochie sparks buzz as he shares update on Nnamdi Kanu's release: "we are silently waiting"
• Has IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu been released and repatriated to Kenya? NJC breaks silence
• Nnamdi Kanu: Abaribe speaks on rumoured threat of national assembly shutdown over IPOB leader

Protecting witnesses in Kanu's trial

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the high court acceded to the request by the prosecution for its witnesses be shielded in the terrorism trial of Kanu.

Justice James Omotosho granted the permission while ruling in an ex-parte application filed by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Solomon (SAN).

While arguing the application, Awomolo said the identities of the witnesses needed to be protected for security reasons.

Source: Legit.ng