The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, is to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, following his arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Binta Nyako gave the remand order based on an application filed by the Federal Government.
The judge ordered that Kanu, who was arrested outside the country by the Interpol and brought back to the country on Sunday, should remain with DSS till July 26 when his trial will resume.
Kanu is being tried on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.
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Earlier before proceeding took place, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), had disclosed to journalists in court that Kanu had been arrested.
Malami, who spoke to newsmen in company of the Inspector-General of Police and spokesman of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, kept silence on where Kanu was arrested.
He alleged that it was his inciting broadcasts that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties in the South-East region of the country.
The IPOB leader was brought to court amidst heavily armed security operatives.
The court had on March 28, 2019, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the IPOB leader after it revoked the bail that was earlier granted to him.
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Placing reliance on Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, the court equally okayed Kanu’s trial in absentia.
Kanu, whose whereabouts was unknown since September 2017, and three other pro-Biafra agitators, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi was hitherto answering to a five-count charge.
Shortly after he jumped bail, Justice Nyako, on February 20, 2018, okayed separate trial for the other three defendants.
The IPOB leader, who has dual citizenship, was before his arrest on Sunday, reportedly sighted at various locations outside the country, including Jerusalem and the United Kingdom.
