Biafra: Court orders separate trial for codefendants

The Federal High Court in Abuja, Tuesday afternoon ordered that the missing leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, be separately tried from the rest of his co-defendants.

Justice Binta Nyako made the order following an oral application by the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, who noted that Kanu’s continued absence from court since he was granted bail in April 2017, “has frustrated progress in the case.”

“In the circumstance, the prosecution shall be asking for the indulgence of your lordship to separate the trial so that progress can be made in this matter,” Labaran said.

Other defence lawyers did not oppose the application.

Kanu and others are being prosecuted on five counts bordering on treasonable felony, among other charges.

He had not been seen since September 22, 2017 when his team of lawyers and family declared him missing after soldiers allegedly invaded his home in Abia State.

However, his co-defendants were produced in court by prison officials for Tuesday’s proceedings.