A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr. Kanu is standing trial on charges of treasonable felony.
His lawyer, Chucks Muoma, had asked the court to stay proceedings, pending an application filed by his client at a higher court.
The appeal filed at the higher court challenged a former ruling of the court on the protection of witnesses in Mr. Kanu’s ongoing trial.
But responding to the said application, the prosecution counsel, in a counter affidavit, prayed the court to refuse Mr. Kanu’s application, describing it as lacking in merit.
In his ruling, the trial Judge, John Tsoho, said the application could only be granted if it was made following the principles of the appeal.
“Stay of proceedings should follow the process of attaining speedy trial and must be based on peculiar facts and findings,” said Mr. Tsoho.
He noted that there was no dispute as to the jurisdiction of the court to try the matter, but added that the trial of Mr. Kanu will continue unless an order from a judicial authority disallows its continuation.
