The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been moved from January 19 to January 18 next year by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The trial date was rescheduled due to the judge’s decision to shorten the trial period in response to a passionate plea.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s lawyer, had approached the court with an application seeking an order to accommodate the trial in November and December this year rather than the previously scheduled January 19.
Shuaib Labaran, who represented the Federal Government, told the court that the government had filled and served on Kanu a counter-affidavit opposing the request.
However, Justice Nyako intervened and informed Kanu’s lawyer that the application for time abridgement would be denied because there is no judicial time for such an issue.
In the ensuing drama, the court’s case diary was read to the lawyer to establish that the court had other cases to attend to.
However, in response to the insistence, Justice Nyako agreed to reschedule other cases scheduled for January 18 to accommodate the trial, which will last until January 19 and 20.
Justice Nyako directed the DSS to allow Kanu to practice his faith, change his clothes, and be as comfortable as possible in the detention facility.
