Biafra: Court refuses Kanu's application for release of passports

Biafra: Court refuses Kanu's application for release of passports

- Kanu's lawyer objects to secret trial

- Federal High Court rejects application for the release of Kanu's passport

- Judge John Tsoho in his ruling says the application lacks merit

Biafra: Court refuses Kanu's application for release of passports
File photo of Nnamdi Kanu in court during one of his trials

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, February 9 refused an application by Nnamdi Kanu for the release of his passports.

Kanu's lawyer, Chuks Muoma had asked the court to release some documents belonging to his defendant.

Muoma in an application prayed the court to release money and two passports  - Nigerian and British -collected from the first defendant (Kanu) upon his arrest.

READ ALSO: Court grants leave to Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer

Muoma also objected to the application for a secret trial of his client.

But the judge over the case, John Tsoho in his ruling said the application lacked merit.

Tsoho in agreement to the prosecuting counsel said Section 10 sub section (7) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act.

"There is no doubt that the accused have been charged before this court," Tsoho said.

"It is erroneous to say that application for the release of these documents should not be made to this court," he said.

The judge however said that Muoma's submission that evidences not listed on the charge can be returned to the accused person.

Quoting Diri, the judge said it is a mere conjecture by the defense to say that these evidences will not be used by the court.

He added that such applications can come after the prosecution has ended its case thereby allowing the defense to open their case.

READ ALSO: Photos: Kanu in court, refuses to let his handcuffs be removed

The court further rejected the application for the release of the documents.

Tsoho adjourned the case to Friday, February 19 for hearing on the application on secret trial.

On complaint from the defense counsel that sympathizers of the first defendant are barred from entering the courtroom, Tsoho ordered that hearing will be subject to appropriate security screening and the capacity of the courtroom.

In a related development, there was a mild drama in today's court proceedings as Kanu refused to allow his handcuffs be removed.

Source: Legit.ng

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