Fani-Kayode and Osita Chidoka leads Nnamdi Kanu's co-defendants into court

By   www.eaunde.blogspot.com

- Nnamdi Kanu failed to appear in court on Tuesday, October 17 

- His three co-defendants, are however present at the Abuja Federal High Court 

- The co-defendants were led to the court room by former ministers, Fani-Kayode, and Osita Chidoka 

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is absent in court as hearings on his trial begins. Kanu who was expected to appear before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court is no where in sight. Raising the issue, the director of public prosecution, S. M Labaran said the state fears that the trial might not go on as planned. 

"In the wisdom of this honourable court, the court gave some conditions and one of the conditions is that the first defendant must not be seen in midst of more than 10 people," Labaran said.

But in his objection, Kanu's lawyer said he should have been called upon to explain the whereabouts of the first defendant. "I don't know where my client is whether he is dead or alive after the raid," Ejiofor said. However, the three other defendants - Benjamin Madubugwu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe and David Nwawuisi were brought into the court by prison officials. Also, the former ministers of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and Osita Chidoka, are currently in court to support the co-defendants.

The duo are dressed in Igbo traditional attire popularly known as 'Isi agu' and caps. The former ministers who have also been on the support team of the missing IPOB leader.

The ministers among other notable Nigerians joined the crowd who thronged the court premises for the trial.

Both Fani-Kayode and Chidoka appeared in Igbo traditional attire popularly known as "Isi agu" and caps

The lawyer in his suit prayed the court to make an order mandating the Nigerian army chief to produce his client for his appearance in court for trial which had been instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS). 

Abia south senatorial district, Enyinaya Abaribe, has applied to the court to discharge him from the suretyship, bond and recognizance of the bail of the IPOB leader, Kanu. Abaribe prayed the court to discharge him entirely from the incidence relating to the bail of Kanu 

DSS have barred journalists from covering the trial. Operatives of the DSS deployed at the entrance of the courtroom said they are working under directives to ensure that journalists are kept outside.