Appeal Court dismisses Kanu’s bail appeal

(Nigeria) The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the decision of a Federal High Court, Abuja which refused Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, bail.

Kanu is being tried alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, on charges of treasonable felony, conspiracy and illegal arms possession.

The applicants had jointly approached the appellate court to challenge the Jan. 29 ruling of the court denying them the bail.

In his judgment on Wednesdays, Justice Abdul Aboki, alongside two other justices, held that the grievous nature of the charges and dual citizenship status of Kanu influenced the court's decision.

``We have digested the processes brought before us to decide this matter and having painstakingly assessed the two extreme submissions by parties, the court is inclined to upholding the decision of the trial court.

``Our decision hinges on the grievous nature of the charges brought against the applicants. It is even more challenging to grant Nnamdi Kanu's prayer in the circumstance due to his dual citizenship status.

``As we have seen from the documentary evidence before us, Kanu holds both Nigerian and British citizenship passports narrowing the possibility of his standing justice if granted bail,’’ Aboki said.

Aboki further held that ``in the light of the above, the appeal against the Jan. 29 decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the applicants is hereby dismissed.’’

The appellate court had reserved the judgment following the adoption of addresses by the Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Mohammed Diri and Counsel to the appellants, Chief Chuks Momah, SAN, on May 5.

In his address, Momah had told the court that the decision of the trial court appeared as if it involved only the first appellant Kanu.

He, therefore, asked the court to allow the appeal and grant his clients bail, adding that they were prepared to stand justice.

Momah said that the bail denial was inimical to the supposed stance of the court to deliver justice to all involved in the case.

But, Diri had urged the court to uphold the ruling of the trial court because the appeal lacked merit.

Diri said the trial would be aborted if the applicants were given the luxury to go on bail.

He further argued that the activities of the applicants constituted threat to national security.

The prosecution urged the court to take judicial notice of the grievous punishment that the charges attracted.