Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application was rejected by a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Murtala Nyako on Tuesday.
The court, however, agreed to prioritize a speedy trial for the leader of the outlawed group.
Counsel to Kanu, Alloy Ejimakor, had at the last adjourned date, urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial.
Citing his client’s deteriorating health as reason for the application, Ejimakor added that Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services, DSS, posed a threat to his life
Ejimakor argued that the continued detention of the IPOB leader would not enable him to put up a good defence in the matter.
But the counsel for the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing.
He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of the detained IPOB leader.
Awomolo who accused Kanu of once jumping bail added that he also failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer, that if granted bail, he would not jump bail.
