The inability of the Department of State Services to produce the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja has stalled his trial. Shortly after the trial judge, justice Binta Nyako arrived the court room, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar informed her that due to logistics challenges Kanu was not present in court. His explanation sparked off hot arguments from defence counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor who accused DSS of frustrating efforts by lawyers and family members to access the detained secessionist leader. Ejiofor made frantic efforts to move an application for the transfer of his client to prison facility as a better option to DSS custody but the judge refused on the ground that the defendant was not physically produced in court. The Judge in her ruling told the parties in the case that the consent of the Chief Judge of the federal high court, Justice John Tsoho is needed for the trial to go ahead during the court vacation. Justice Nyako equally noted that it was the duty of the prosecution to apply for the Chief Judge’s consent if they want the trial during vacation and not the court. At the end of the days proceedings, Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor threw more light on what transpired . The case was however adjourned till October 21 for further hearing.
