Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 20 as the date for ruling on an application seeking the transfer of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The decision to adjourn for ruling came after hearing arguments presented on the application.

During the court session, Kanu’s lead counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, highlighted that Kanu’s continuous detention in the DSS facility would impede the expeditious hearing ordered by the court.

Ejimakor stated, “We are requesting the transfer of the defendant from the DSS detention to a house arrest or a similar custody arrangement under the supervision of another law enforcement agency. This step is crucial, my lord. The application was not made in isolation. We initially made the request verbally and were instructed to submit it in writing. We are offering solutions to facilitate the acceleration of court hearings.”

“It is not unprecedented for a defendant to be placed under house arrest. Sambo Dasuki and El-ZakZaky have previously benefitted from this arrangement,” Ejimakor added.

However, the prosecutor, Adegboyega Awolomo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application.