By Yusuf Olawale
The trial which was slated to start properly today has been suspended till the 21st of October, 2021.
This suspension was declared by the ruling judge, Justice Binta Nnyako, who stated that the trial cannot proceed in the absence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The court premises filled with a heavy security presence saw the appearance of the two legal parties. When the matter was called up at the court, the prosecution counsel, Mr. M. B. Abubakar, notified the court that they were ready for the trial to commence.
However, there was a stiff objection from the Kanu’ lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who noted that the trial cannot continue in the absence of his client, Mazi Kanu.
He argued that there was a pending application before the honourable court to transfer Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Security Services to the correctional facility.
It remains unclear why the DSS failed to produce Kanu in court, despite the presence of operatives of the spy agency had taken over the premises and the adjoining roads much earlier before the commencement of the trial.
Mrs. Binta Nnyako upheld the argument of the defense counsel, and the trial which started at about 11 am was adjourned till the 21st of October, 2021.