South East Senate Caucus leader Eyinnaya Abaribe asks to be relieved as Nnamdi Kanu's surety

CHAIRMAN of the South East Senate Caucus Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe has asked the federal high court in Abuja relieve him of the responsibility of being Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu's surety after he failed to appear in court today.

On April 24 this year, Mr Kanu was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako and his conditions included that he produce three sureties. Among those who stood surety for Mr Kanu were Senator Abaribe, Jewish priest Immanuu-El Shalom and an accountant and Abuja resident Tochukwu Uchendu.

Earlier today, Mr Kanu was due to appear in court over a suit filed against him by the federal government concerning him breaching his bail conditions. However, Mr Kanu did not show up for his trial as his co-defendants did, so Justice Nyako ordered Senator Abaribe and the  two other sureties to explain his whereabouts.

Of the three sureties, only Senator Abaribe was present in court with his lawyer. In a dramatic twist, however, Ogechi Ogunna, who is the counsel to Senator Abaribe said ‎his client had filed a motion seeking to be discharged as Mr Kanu’s surety.

However, the court ruled that Senator Abaribe’s motion to be discharged as Mr Kanu’s surety could not be heard until the Ipob appeared in court. Justice Nyako presented Senator Abaribe with three options which could relieve him of the responsibility of being Mr Kanu's surety.

Justice Nyako said: "Abaribe is to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court before he can apply to be discharged as a surety and he should be ready to forfeit his N100m bail bond. Lastly, he should request to be given time to produce the defendant in court."

In response, Senator Abaribe’s lawyer said that his client was in no position to do any of the above stated conditions. He however opted for the third option, which is to be given time to produce the defendant in court after the judge insisted that his client must opt for one of the options.

With Senator Abaribe agreeing to produce Mr Kanu buy the next hearing on November 20, the judge adjourned the matter. If Mr Kanu does not appear, there is a possibility that Senator Abaribe may be arrested.