Nigeria: trial of Biafran independence leader Nnamdi Kanu postponed until November 10
Men of the Nigerian State Secret Police (SSS) escort Biafran independence leader Nnamdi Kanu (2nd l), in front of the Federal High Court in Abuja, October 21, 2021. AFP - KOLA SULAIMON
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The trial of Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has been adjourned until November 10, at the prosecution's request, on Thursday October 21.
The hearing was suspended shortly after it opened in the morning at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnamdi Kanu, who has not been seen in public since his arrest abroad in June, arrived in court under a strong security presence.
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Nnamdi Kanu
, the leader of the Independence Movement for the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (Ipob), is
accused of "terrorism" and "treason"
.
Dressed all in white, with a serious look, the separatist leader pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
Charges increased on Monday, from four to seven charges.
In an appeal filed by his lawyers, Kanu questioned the jurisdiction of the country's High Court to judge his case.
He denounced what he calls a “
kidnapping
” abroad -
possibly in Kenya
- without going through a classic extradition.
The prosecution asked for time to consider this appeal, which explains the postponement on Thursday.
The trial had already been postponed last July.
And for this second attempt, an important security device was deployed.
In particular, access to the courtroom was blocked for journalists.
For the Nigerian government, national unity is the stake of this trial, at a time when the south-east, but also the south-west of the country are facing a resurgence of independence tendencies.
The defense, for its part, demands the release of its client and the annulment of all charges against Nnamdi Kanu.
The Federal High Court, on the other hand, rejected his lawyers' request for his transfer from a maximum security prison to a normal prison.
► To read also: The ephemeral "Republic of Biafra"
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