The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has adjourned the trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu until January 19, 2022.

Mr Kanu who has been agitating for the secession of the South-East was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in June.

The separatist leader is currently facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and insulting President Muhammadu Buhari.

The separatist leader through Radio Biafra had been pushing a narrative that an impostor allegedly called “Jibrin of Sudan” occupied the Presidential seat in the stead of Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Kanu’s team of lawyers, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had walked out of the courtroom to protest the refusal of security agents’ to allow other lawyers including Mr Kanu’s American attorney Bruce Fein, enter the courtroom.

Mr Kanu who was standing in the dock told the court Mr Fein was his legal counsel and was only around to observe the proceedings. He also disclosed that Mr Fein had been denied access to see him while in SSS custody.

“I have an ongoing case in the U.S. I have not been allowed to see him. He is here to see me and to observe proceedings,” he told the court.

“He has been to the DSS to see me but they denied him access to me.”
Mr Kanu refused the continuation of his trial in the absence of his lawyers when he was questioned by Justice  Binta Nyako if the hearing could go on.

M.D. Abubakar, the prosecution counsel, on the other hand argued for the proceedings to continue despite the absence of Mr Kanu’s lawyers.

Mr Abubakar, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution, faulted the manner in which IPOB’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, walked out of the courtroom even though it was him (the defendant) who filed the pending application. It was on this note that Mr Abubakar therefore urged the court to deem the pending application abandoned.

Mrs Nyako who rejected Mr Abubakar’s request, adjourned the trial till January 19 and 20, 2022 for further hearing.

Mr Kanu is to remain in SSS facility till the next hearing date in 2022.