Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor warned by Justice Nyako to stop writing directly to her

NNAMDI Kanu's lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor has been warned by federal high court judge Binta Nyako to stop writing letters directly to her in respect of the trial of his client as it is against the procedure of channelling such communication through the court registrar.

Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war. His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of secessionist group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who him arrested and put on trial for treason.

While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria. However, in a dramatic development in June this year, Mr Kanu was abducted in Kenya in a commando operation carried out by Nigerian security operatives  and flown to Nigeria where he his trial has resumed.

Earlier today in court, Justice Nyako of the federal high court in Abuja issued a stern warning to Mr Ejiofor, saying she will not take kindly to a repeat of breach of court procedure. Although Mr Ejiofor, did not react to the judge’s warning, he sought to move two motions on notice on behalf of his client.

He had approached the court with a motion on notice seeking an abridgement of time to bring back the trial of the Biafran leader from January 19 next year to an early date in December. However, the federal government through its counsel Shuaib Labaran informed the judge that it has filed a counter-affidavit to vehemently oppose the request.

However, following the persistent pleas, Justice Nyako agreed to shift other cases slated for January 18 to accommodate Mr Kanu’s trial which will last till January 19 and 20. In another drama, Mr Ejiofor sought to move another application by Mr Kanu challenging the competence of the seven-count treasonable felony charges brought against him by the federal government.

This move was, however, resisted by the federal government lawyer on the grounds that the motion was not ripe for hearing and that the business slated for the day was the motion for abridgement of time only. Justice Nyako agreed with the government lawyer and rejected the bid to bring the motion forward.

Meanwhile, following another request on behalf of Mr Kanu by his lawyer, Justice Nyako ordered the Department of State security to allow Mr Kanu to practice his faith, change his clothes and be given the maximum possible comfort in the detention facility. After issuing the ruling, she then adjourned the hearing until January 18 2022.