Nnamdi Kanu takes fight for bail to Court of Appeal

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has appealed the ruling of a Federal High Court denying him bail.

Mr. Kanu is held by the Nigerian government on charges of treason. He has been in detention since last October.

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court had on January 29 dismissed an application for bail for Mr. Kanu and two of his associates, Benjamin Madubgwu and James Nwawuisi.

The judge said bail could not be granted because the allegations against the trio constituted a threat to national security, and could attract a penalty of life imprisonment, if found guilty.

The judge also cited Mr. Kanu’s dual citizenship as another reason for the bail denial. Mr. Kanu holds Nigerian and British passports.

Mr. Kanu is now asking the Court of Appeal to review the ruling.

In a motion filed by his counsel, Chucks Muoma, Mr. Kanu asked the Court of Appeal to determine whether or not Mr. Tsoho was right in citing Mr. Kanu’s dual citizenship an excuse for refusing him bail.

In his reply, the Director of Public Prosecution, office of the Attorney General, Mohammed Diri, told the court that the case was properly assessed by the trial judge at the lower court before the ruling was given.

He therefore prayed the court to dismiss the application for want of merit.

The court said judgement would be given on the matter on a later date.