Court denies acclaimed Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, 2 others bail

Federal High Court in Abuja, Friday declined to release the detained self-acclaimed leader of the indigenous people of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu‎ on bail.

Justice John Tsoho, in his ruling also denied bail to two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, who are facing trial with Kanu.

The ‎Judge maintained that the charge against the defendants could attract severe punishment upon conviction.

The trial of Nnamdi Kanu and the two other accused persons has been fixed for the 6th to 12th of February.

At the hearing on Monday, Mr Kanu, through his counsel, had told the court that the offense for which he was standing trial was a bailable one.

However, the Director of Public Prosecution, who represented the Federal Government, asked the court to refuse bail on the grounds that the offence for which Mr Kanu and his co-accused were standing trial was a serious offense.

He also told the court that if granted bail, the accused would interfere with witnesses and evidence.

In the week before, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered that Mr Kanu, who had been on detention, be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

Justice James Tsoho gave the order shortly after Mr Kanu and two others pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of treasonable felony and illegal importation of a radio transmitter preferred against them by the Federal Government.