Court Dismisses Kanu’s Application To Stop Trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday has refused an application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, and his co-accused, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu, asking for stay of proceedings in their ongoing trial.

The counsel of the embattled IPOB leader, Chucks Muoma, had requested the court to stay proceedings, pending an application filed by his client at a higher court.

However, in his ruling, the trial Judge, John Tsoho, said that the application for stay of proceedings lacked merit and ordered that the trial would proceed in the mode earlier directed by the court.


“Stay of proceedings should follow the process of attaining speedy trial and must be based on peculiar facts and findings,” said Mr. Tsoho.

The judge also said that there was no dispute as to the jurisdiction of the court to try the matter, but added that the trial of Mr. Kanu will continue unless an order from a judicial authority disallows its continuation.

Kanu and his co-defendants are being prosecuted before the court on six counts of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and other offences bordering on their agitation for secession ‎of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.