The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the trial on Monday at the resumption of proceedings at the court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The trial suffered a setback after the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce Kanu in court. Justice Nyako faulted the action of the security outfit, noting that she had stayed back in her chambers waiting for the defendant to be in court. She asked the prosecution to be diligent with dates whenever she gives one, stressing that it was important for Kanu to be present at his trial. Meanwhile, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu will remain in the custody of the Department of State Services despite a request to transfer him to Kuje correctional centre. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court gave the order on Monday during the resumption of Kanu’s trial in Abuja. In an application to the judge, Mr Kanu had argued that he cannot get a fair trial if he remains in the custody of the DSS. He also sought for an order to grant him access to his medical doctor for the purpose of carrying out a comprehensive independent medical examination on him. In her verdict, Justice Nyako ordered that the DSS should allow access to Mr Kanu, although it won’t be a free-for-all. With Mr Kanu absent in court, the judge adjourned the trial to October 21. The DSS said Mr Kanu’s absence in court was due to logistics reasons. Credit: Channels TV

Human Right activist, Omoyele Sowore has been released by the security operatives in Abuja, Crimefacts.news reports Sowore stated this on his Facebook page on Monday More to follow….

Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has been arrested by security operatives at the federal high court in Abuja. Sowore who was at the court premises said he had come to attend the hearing of the five youths that were arrested for wearing #BuhariMustGo branded shirts at Dunamis Church. TheCable learnt the activist, alongside his aide who was doing a live-stream of events in front of the court, was arrested by police officers. ”I have just been arrested by the Nigerian police at the federal high court. Subjected to beatings by police officers and taken to the Federal Secretariat police station,” a message sent to TheCable by the activist said. The federal high court is where Nnamdi Kanu’s trial is expected to continue on Monday. There is a presence of heavy security at the court.

Commuters moving in and out of Onitsha, Anambra State were on Monday stranded following partial restrictions of vehicular movement within major roads in the commercial city. The Nation gathered the restrictions might not be unconnected with trial of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Commercial buses plying Awka-Onitsha route had suspended operations over fear of being trapped in the looming crisis, particularly as videos of bonfires at the popular Upper Iweka and other strategic areas of the town went viral in the social media. Those who dared the situation took advantage of the development to exploit their passengers. While some charged N500 more than the usual cost of N300 from Awka to Onitsha, others charged as high as N600. Parks visited by our correspondent around 8am witnessed commuters waiting hopelessly for scarce buses while those who insisted on traveling paid through their noses. Shops, markets and offices were under lock and key while some major streets are deserted in the commercial town. One of the commuters, a civil servant who simply identified himself as Oliver, wondered why a court matter going on far away Abuja would have such impact on people in Anambra state. Oliver, who resides in Onitsha but works in Awka said he decided to go back home after several efforts to get to work failed. “I can’t understand our people. Why don’t they vent their anger on those in Abuja than transferring the aggression on innocent people like us? I better go home and rest than risk my life for no just cause, ” he said. Another passenger, Regina Anene, who was traveling to Onitsha from Awka said she had to disembark from the bus she boarded immediately the driver announced where the journey would terminate. “Thank God the driver informed us on time where he will stop everyone. I wonder how I would have trekked that long distance to reach my destination. It would have been frustrating,” she said. The Nation further learnt that tension was also high in Nnewi, the industrial city of the state as persons suspected to be pro-biafran members took over some major streets, engaging in bonfires and damaging vehicles who they claimed violated the movement restrictions.

Some lawyers have been denied access into the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be held on Monday, F.I.J is reporting. In a live BBC Pidgin video monitored by FIJ, one of the lawyers condemned the move, saying it was an open court to which every Nigerian lawyer should have unrestricted access. “A lawyer doesn’t need to show ID card or anything to show that he’s a lawyer,” he said. “It’s an open court. It’s like when you want to go to your shop at Wuse market then someone asks you, ‘Can I see evidence that you own the shop before you can enter?’” Details later…

Traders at Aba Shopping Center in Abia State have suspended business activities because of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The IPOB leader will be arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja this morning. Kanu, who is standing trial for treason, was granted bail on health grounds in 2017. But he violated all the bail conditions and fled abroad. He was rearrested last month and detained in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the orders of the court. One of the traders, who spoke off the record, told Daily Trust that they did not shut down in solidarity with Kanu but for the fear that there could be violence later in the day. Our correspondent observed that there was normalcy in other parts of the town. Kanu had not been brought to court as of the time this report was filed.

Some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were arrested by the police on Monday as they converged on the federal high court in Abuja for Nnamdi Kanu’s trial. According to the Cable, the IPOB members were chanting slogans in support of Kanu and demanding his freedom. Some of them wore Jewish apparel. There was commotion as the police tried to disperse members of the group. Advertisement Some of them were subsequently arrested while others fled. Kanu’s trial is scheduled to continue today after he was arrested and extradited to Nigeria in June. He was re-arraigned and remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his extradition to Nigeria. Advertisement The IPOB leader is facing charges of treasonable felony for his agitation for an independent Republic of Biafra. The agitation turned violent as members of the group took up arms, killing security agents and destroying public infrastructure in the south-east.