Despite the unprecedented security cordon around the Abuja Central Business District (CBD) and its environs over the resumed trial of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the Department of State Security failed to produce him to face trial.
And with this, Justice Binta Nyako, the presiding Judge, stated that the trial cannot continue in the absence of Kanu since he is not available to stand his trial.
Calling on the DSS to produce the IPOB leader for trial, Justice Nyako adjourned to October 21, 2021, for continuation of hearing.
Earlier, when the matter was called up, the prosecution counsel, M. B. Abubakar, informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing and that they were ready to continue.
Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court that there was a pending application before the court to transfer Kanu from the custody of the DSS to the correctional centre.
Kanu is standing trial before Justice Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja for charges levelled against him by the Nigerian government over terrorism, treasonable felony, illegal possession of arms, among others.
A detachment of hooded armed officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies had taken position at the entrance of the court with motorbikes and vehicles preventing human and vehicular movements into the area.
Also, security operatives have also cordoned off the surroundings of the High Court complex and the adjoining Ministry of Justice building, down to the Fountain opposite the Transcorp Hilton on the Federal Secretariat side of the entrance.
They have also cordoned off the entrance from Abia House, housing the State Government’s liaison office.
People are being prevented from accessing the area freely as movement is strictly restricted all through Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Guests who lodged in the hotels along the High Court entrance and exit road are being prevented from moving in and out, with the operatives appealing for their understaning.
On Sunday evening, there tempers flared up as there were altercations between the hotel guests who insisted on going to their hotel rooms and security operatives who were intent on restricting movement in and out of the High Court zone.
All through Monday morning, workers with offices in the zone were heavily scrutinized before being allowed access to their offices.
Already, crowds of IPOB members and sympathisers are thronging to the area in solidarity with the detained separatist leader. They had already vowed to storm.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since he was abducted in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, after his brief appearance before Justice Binta Nyako on June 30.