The whereabouts of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is currently unknown even as his trial resumes in court on Tuesday (today).
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Nnamdi Kanu has not been seen in public functions since September 24 when some security agents allegedly entered his Afaraukwu, Umuahia country home in Abia State.
He is facing treason charges along with some members of his group.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kanu was granted bail on health grounds in April while Senator Enyinaya Abaribe stood as one of his sureties.
Reacting to the resumed hearing on Tuesday and the possibility of Kanu’s absence at the court, his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told newsmen: “Only the army can tell us where he is. Either they arrested him or they killed him.
“If he is alive, they should bring him to the court on Tuesday (today).”
However, spokesman of the Ministry of Justice, Salihu Othman Isah said whether the trial would go ahead would depend on Kanu’s appearance and the judge.
“I can’t tell you specifically what will happen,” he added.
Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 and held in custody until April.
While Kanu’s brother Emmanuel, claims he was taken away by troops, the military has said its men did not arrest Kanu.
“They were so numerous. They started to shoot from 200 metres (650 feet) away. People were running for their lives. We had no guns with us,” he said after the mayhem in Kanu’s home last month.
However, in another twist, a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu recently said in an interview that Kanu has eloped to the United Kingdom through Malaysia.
His statement attracted criticism from IPOB and its sympathizers.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the federal government declared IPOB a “terrorist organisation” after clashes between the security forces and IPOB supporters.
Members of the group were accused of attacking military checkpoints in Umuahia.
The group has however distanced itself from the attacks, insisting it was a law abiding organisation.
Details later…