Abaribe to lose ₦100m bail bond if Nnamdi Kanu fails to attend Nov. 20 trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to be discharged as a surety to Indigenous Peoples of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

At the resumed hearing of Kanu’s trial on Tuesday, counsel to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe told the court that his client did not know of Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts, and wanted to be discharged as his surety.

The presiding judge in his ruling commented negatively on the Kanu’s absence, said his sureties had to show cause why he was not in court to attend his trial and ruled that Senator Abaribe cannot be recused as a surety unless the accused is produced.

Senator Abaribe stands to forfeit a ₦100 million bail bond if Kanu’s whereabouts remain undetermined.

Despite Kanu’s absence, a significant number of IPOB supporters gathered outside the court premises in Abuja’s Central Business District singing songs and showing support for their leader and mostly heeded to a warning by the police banning the display and use of any Biafra paraphernalia.

The police presence in the court compound was also complemented with an assortment of military and paramilitary personnel.

The case was adjourned to 20 November 2017 for trial.