An Abuja Federal High Court is set to commence the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in his absence.
A hearing notice from the court scheduled the case for November 26 during which five prosecution witnesses will testify against Kanu.
The notice was served on the federal government’s prosecution team and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the defendant’s counsel.
Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him in response to years of campaign for the independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB.
He was granted bail in April 2017 for health reasons, but jumped his bail after reportedly flouting all the conditions given to him by the court.
Kanu’s absence in court led the judge who granted him bail Binta Nyako, revoked the bail and ordered that his arrest.
Kanu’s lawyer however argued that he left the country because of the invasion of his family’s residence in Abia state by soldiers during a military exercise.
He prayed the court to restore the bail to enable the defendant return to Nigeria for trial, but the judge did not accede to the request.
Despite the court’s insistence on his appearance, the IPOB leader has remained abroad, and once said he jumped bail to pursue the cause of Biafra.
He vowed to remain abroad to continue his campaign for a Biafran republic in the Southeast.
