Nnamdi Kanu: Tight security expected as trial continues, today

Tight security is expected on Monday as leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu will be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu was re-arraigned on June 29, 2021 at the Federal High Court, Abuja after he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.
The Federal Government had arraigned him on an 11-count charge bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.
Kanu is also being accused of instigating violence, especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered the remand of a fugitive Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and adjourned the case to July 26.
Fillers from Abuja revealed that there will be tight security at the court in Abuja to prevent Kanu’s supporters from carrying out any threat.
Large number of IPOB members are expected to throng the court premises tomorrow in solidarity with their leader, Kanu.
Meanwhile, ahead of the continuation of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, the Nigerian government has deployed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the premises of the Federal High Court, Maitama in Abuja.
The IPOB leader is standing trial before the Justice Binta Nyako Federal High Court, Abuja nine charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, among others.
A detachment of hooded armed officers was seen stationed at the entrance of the Federal High Court with motorbikes and vehicles preventing human and vehicular movements into the area.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had earlier warned members of the IPOB not to show up at the Court hearing on Monday (today).
Also, people in various hotels in the area are being prevented from moving in and out as the officers insisted that they were on a special operation in the area and appealed to them for understanding.
Aloy Ejimakor, legal counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said that what Nigerians should expect on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja “is not a trial but what lawyers call ‘taking a plea”.
Ejimakor revealed this in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters on Sunday while speaking about his expectations regarding Kanu’s trial, which is expected to commence on Monday.
The legal practitioner also stated the Nigerian 1999 Constitution provides for self-determination and also the right to life, adding that the Nigerian government will have no choice but to dialogue with the pro-Biafra separatist leader.
He, however, appealed to the supporters of the detained IPOB leader not to flout the provisions of the rule of law as they plan to storm Abuja to show solidarity with Kanu.
Kanu will resume his trial suspended in 2017 at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, bordering on charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, illegal possession of arms, among others levelled against him by the Nigerian government.
He has been in the detention of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was abducted in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, after his brief appearance before Justice Binta Nyako on June 30.
Speaking on what to expect, Ejimakor said, “My message to all supporters of self-determination and even to the Nigerian government is simple and that is: Everybody should be guided by the rule of law pertinent to why Nnamdi Kanu is facing these tribulations.
The lawyer also stated that he expects to be ironed out, the application against Kanu’s transfer from the custody of the secret police to prison custody for him to have better medical care.
“What is expected on Monday is not a trial but what lawyers call ‘taking a plea’. But going by what the Attorney General (Abubakar Malami) has been saying, there is a real prospect of a re-arraignment on the amended charges that may be brought.
“In this case, the application expected to be disposed of is the one concerning the transfer of Kanu from DSS custody to prison custody where it is hoped that better medical care and social contact will be available to him,” Ejimakor said.