Unrealistic n Impossible Bail Conditions Kanu Nnamdi Can Never Meet

Trial Justice, Binta Nyako, granted Kanu bail on stringent conditions and refused to okay the release of three other pro-Biafra agitators- Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi- who are facing trial alongside the IPOB leader.

The anxious Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, yesterday, secured bail from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The bail conditions * Produce three sureties including a highly respected Jewish leader * Produce a highly placed Igbo person * Produce a respected person who resides and owns property in Abuja * Each surety must deposit N100million * Must not attend any rally or grant an interview * Must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons * To surrender his Nigerian and British passports * Must be available for trial at all times On a day that jubilations and mixed reactions trailed the bail, Kanu, however, could not meet the tough bail conditions and has returned to Kuje Prisons, Abuja.

The Federal Government is prosecuting the defendants on a five-count criminal charge bordering on treasonable felony. Justice Binta Nyako said her decision to release Kanu, who is the 1st defendant before the court, on bail, was based on health grounds, citing an affidavit that was attached to the bail application Kanu filed through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Specifically, the court held that Kanu must produce three sureties, including a “highly respected and recognised Jewish leader.” Apart from a Jewish leader, Kanu must also produce a “highly placed person of Igbo extraction”, as well as “a highly respected person who is resident and owns landed property in Abuja.” Each of the sureties is to deposit N100 million.

Justice Nyako had in the course of the ruling, asked Kanu to tell the court the religion he believes in, considering that one of the bail conditions would include his production of a highly placed religious leader. “My lord, I believe in Judaism”, Kanu replied from the dock. “Are you a Jew?”, the Judge queried.

“Yes, I am a Jew”, Kanu maintained. “Good, in that case, one of the sureties must be a highly respected and recognised Jewish leader. I must be able to know him. Thank God I have been taught how to use Google”, Justice Nyako jokingly added. As part of his conditions for bail, Kanu, was expressly barred by the court from attending any rally or granting any form of interview. “I must stress it here that the defendant must not attend any rally. He must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons”, the Judge warned.

Justice Nyako equally held that Kanu must sign an undertaking to make himself available for trial at all times. Kanu was ordered to surrender his Nigerian and British international passports, even as the court compelled the Federal Government to return to Kanu, his wedding ring and reading glasses. However, Kanu’s co-defendantss were denied bail by the court which described charges against them as “very serious.” Justice Nyako said the fact that she earlier struck out the terrorism charges slammed against the defendants did not water-down the seriousness of the treason charge against them. She held that Kanu’s co-defendants did not adduce fresh facts capable of persuading the court to release them on bail.