Nnamdi Kanu arrested, trial adjourned till July 27 – Malami tells Neusroom
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), told Neusroom on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, that leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested by the Nigerian government.
Malami’s media aide, Dr Umar Gwandu, told Neusroom in a telephone conversation on Tuesday, that the separatist group leader appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and his trial has been adjourned till July 27, 2021. He did not give further details.
“Yes, that is true, he has been arrested,” Gwandu said.
Asked when Kanu was arrested, he said “the issue there is that he was arrested and he has been taken to court today, and the court has adjourned till the 27th of next month.”
Kanu, who was facing five charges including treasonable felony, was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds after spending 19 months in detention over his agitation for the secession of eastern Nigeria.
He fled the country in September 2017 after his home in Abia State was allegedly invaded by Nigerian army.
While he was on the run, he could not attend the burial of his parents Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Kanu, held in his hometown in Abia state, in February 2020.
In March 2019, Justice Binta Nyako revoked his bail and ordered his arrest following his failure to appear in court.
He has been a fugitive since then, and from his hideout, he has reportedly been inciting violence against the Nigerian government.
In the last six months, armed gangs have carried out a series of attacks on government institutions, police officers and other security operatives in the East. The gang also mounted a jailbreak of more than 1,800 prisoners in Imo state in April, 2021.
The immediate past Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said IPOB members are behind the attacks.
