By Olayemi Esan
The trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will resume today before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Mazi Kanu is being tried by the Federal Government on charges bordering on treasonable felony, terrorism, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.
Although he was granted bail on health grounds, Mazi Kanu jumped bail and was re-arrested on the 29th of last month by security agents
Following his re-arrest and trial in court last month, Justice Binta Nyako granted the request of the prosecution counsel that Mazi Kanu be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
As at the close of work on Friday, the court’s management was reported to be working closely with relevant security agencies to avert possible security breach in view of the large turnout of IPOB followers and other spectators often witnessed each time his case came up.
Although all judicial correspondents were issued special identity cards for the coverage, only 10 journalists were approved by the DSS to witness the proceedings.
Report also says that some security operatives, including armed police men with their official vehicles were sighted around the court premises on Sunday evening possibly to secure the court ahead of today’s proceedings.
Meanwhile , the Olubadan of Ibadanland , Oba Saliu Adetunji has a sent delegation to Cotonou , Benin Republic to observe the court proceedings involving Sunday Igboho .
This was contained in a release by the monarch’s Personal Assistant /Director of Media and Publicity , Adeola Oloko
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 has sent a delegation to Cotonou, Benin Republic to observe the proceedings of the court case involving Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.
The first class monarch who did not disclose the identity of the delegation said yesterday that those to observe the court proceedings where Sunday Igboho will be facing trial would be in court unfailingly tomorrow Monday.
Oba Adetunji stated this at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace today, Sunday while exchanging views with some leaders of thought comprising the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes President General, Prince Yemisi Adeaga, first vice President General, Dr. Tirimisiyu Oladimeji; Ekefa Olubadan, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi; Ajia Olubadan, Chief Wasiu Aderoju Alaadorin; Mogaji Makusota, Prof. Oluwasegun Adekunle and Personal Assistant to Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko.
According to Olubadan it has become necessary in order to allay the fears of several people including protesters who besiege Olubadan palace every now and then that Kabiesi is not folding his arms over the travails of Sunday Igboho and his co-travellers.
Said he “Sunday Igboho lives in Ibadan, got married in Ibadan, rear children in Ibadan, built houses in Ibadan and as such he has the rights to be protected by Ibadan Traditional Institution within the ambit of the law just like any human being in Ibadan.
The first class monarch who stated that he was in constant touch with Yoruba prominent royal fathers, including Igboho royal crowns allayed public fears of a repeat performance of Yoruba-Fulani coalition of 1814. According to Oba Adetunji, students of Nigeria history may wish to be reminded that when some people during the period under reference chose to engage in territorial expansion to the sea, it took the Ibadan army under Balogun Oderinlo to repel the attack and stop the incursion near Osogbo.
Oba Adetunji however urged the people to remain calm and law abiding as truth will prevail.