Nigerian secessionist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had his trial postponed on Monday after he failed to appear in court due to logistical issues.
The 54-year-old was not produced at the Federal High Court in Abuja as expected by Nigeria’s secret police service, the Department of State Services (DSS).
The trial was adjourned until October 21 by Justice Binta Nyako, who said it could not continue in the absence of the defendant.
Mr Kanu was not taken to court for logistical reasons, according to prosecution counsel M. B Abubakar.
Through his Indigenous People of Biafra movement, Mr Kanu is reenacting the 1967 secession of the South East from Nigeria (IPOB).
After four years in hiding in the United Kingdom, he was re-arrested in London and deported to Nigeria on June 26.
On June 29, he was remanded in the custody of the Department of Social Services, and the trial was rescheduled for July 26.
Mr Kanu and three others are facing charges of treasonable felony, terrorism, and bail skipping. Soldiers invaded his family’s home in Afaruku, Abia State, in September 2017, and he committed the latter offense.
Due to his inability to appear for his trial, the court had to revoke his bail.
Mr Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed an application with the court on Monday, requesting that his client be transferred from DSS custody to a penitentiary facility.
Justice Nyako issued a brief ruling allowing the lawyer to see his client and instructing the prosecution to ensure the accused appears in court on October 21.
Since Mr Kanu is now ready for trial, the judge insisted that he be physically taken to court.
The court can reschedule the hearing if the prosecution obtains a fiat from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, according to the judge.
