The Federal Government may try the embattled leader of the proscribed Indegeniuos People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, in absentia.
Kanu was billed to appear before trial Justice Binta Nyako to be re-arraigned on an amended five count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, alongside three other pro-Biafra agitators- Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie.
However, Kanu’s whereabouts has remained unkown, a development that has placed his sureties, including a serving Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe and a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu El-Shalom, at risk of being sent to prison.
FG is prosecuting the defendants through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Charges against them border mainly on criminal conspiracy and treasonable felony.
A member of the prosecuting team who spoke to Vanguard on Monday said FG was determined to proceed with the matter even if the IPOB leader failed to present himself before the court.
He said such practice was allowed, once it was proved that the defendant deliberately made himself unavailable for trial.
“It will not be the first time a defendant is tried in absentia. Take the case of a former Niger Delta militant, Mr. Tompolo for instance. When he refused to make himself available, FG proceeded to try him in absentia”, the lawyer who craved anonymity because he was not cleared to speak on matter added.
Read More: Vanguard
