Nnamdi Kanu’s Court Hearing Adjourned as Defence Team Changes, Fashion Restrictions Imposed

The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria‘s capital, has adjourned the hearing involving the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), Nnamdi Kanu, to 19th and 20th March 2024.

The court will rule on Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application, which was filed by the defence counsel, and the main trial is set to continue on 20th March, 2024.

Justice Binta Bukar, presiding over the case, instructed the Department of State Security (DSS) to allow Nnamdi Kanu to change clothes, prohibiting traditional attire and beads but permitting plain clothes.

Kanu is facing charges of treason following his re-arrest by the Nigerian government in June 2021.

The recent court hearing follows a Supreme Court ruling on 15th December 2023, which mandated that Kanu must face trial, overturning the Court of Appeal’s previous decision in October 2022 that cleared Kanu of all charges.

Speculation has arisen surrounding the withdrawal of Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Ifeanyi Ejiofor from Nnamdi Kanu’s defence team.

During the court session on Monday, Nnaemeka Ejiofor and Aloy Ejimakor appeared as the new legal representatives for Kanu.

Notably, Mike Ozekhome and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who had been handling the case, are no longer part of Kanu’s defence team, although the reasons for their withdrawal remain undisclosed.

Following Kanu’s re-arrest in June 2021, the Nigerian government brought 15-count charges against him, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Kanu’s defence counsel, led by Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had sought to have all charges against Kanu struck out, resulting in the court dismissing seven charges but requiring Kanu to respond to the remaining eight.