Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to reinstate his bail, which was revoked in 2017.
In a move, the IPOB leader requested the court to overturn his bail revocation. The motion was submitted by Alloy Ejimakor, his lead attorney.
Kanu’s lawyer stated in the motion that his client had been wrongfully accused of jumping bail.
According to Ejimakor, Kanu fled Nigeria after security agents allegedly attacked his residence in Abia State in an effort to assassinate him.
Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel, filed an affidavit in support of the move to reinstate the ipob leader’s bail.
The motion reads an order of this honourable court setting aside the decision cancelling the defendant/applicant’s bail based on a false assertion that the defendant had jumped bail.
“An order setting aside the order of forfeiture of the bail bond of the defendant sureties, made on the misrepresentation that the defendant had jumped bail and absconded from his trial.
“An order restoring the defendant/applicant’s bail on the same terms upon which same was granted by this honourable court on 25 April 2017.
“And for such order as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of this application.
“The applicant was enjoying his bail when he came under attack by agents of the complainant at his home at Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, whereupon the applicant fled from nigeria in what was purely an act of self-preservation.
“The order setting aside the applicant’s bail, the warrant of arrest, and the forfeiture of his bail bond ought to be reversed by virtue of the decision/finding of the supreme court.
“The bail of the applicant ought to be restored in the interest of justice.”
In 2017, the court granted Kanu bail on the treasonable felony charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
However, the court revoked Kanu’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to present himself as required. The IPOB leader was rearrested in Kenya in 2021.