Many Nigerians are already wondering if Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has forgotten the conditions attached by the court to his hard-earned bail. Perhaps, he just chooses to ignore the 12 conditions given him by Justice Binta Nyako, who said she was convinced that Kanu was ill and needed more medical attention than the Nigerian Prisons gave him. Kanu received bail in April 2017.
The matter was adjourned till July 11 and 12, for definite commencement of trial. The bail conditions state clearly that Kanu must not hold rallies, must not grant interviews, must not be in a crowd of more than 10 people, must deposit his Nigerian and British passports with the court, must provide the court with monthly reports on the progress of his health and treatment, and must provide three sureties in the sum of N100 million each.
Also, one of the sureties must be a senior highly placed person of Igbo extraction, such as a senator; the second surety must be a highly respected Jewish leader since Kanu said his religion is Judaism; and the third surety must be a highly respected person who owns landed property and is resident in Abuja.
On how many occasions has Kanu violated the conditions of his bail? Many. But here are just seven of them.
MAY 13, 2017, CROWD VISIT
Since his release from Kuje prison on April 28, 2017, the IPOB leader has been seen frequently seen in the midst of crowd that easily passed for outright violation of the condition that he must not be in the midst of more than 10 people.
On May 13, 2017, the Igweocha Riverine zone of IPOB paid a solidarity visit to Kanu. Led by Mazi Onyebuchi, Mazi Samuel Nzeh, Mazi Thankgod and Mazi Tochukwu, the massive crowd chanted Biafra songs all round Umuahia.
The crowd was received by Nnamdi Kanu, his parents, wife, brother and the entire Royal family.
MAY 28, 2017, CROWD VISIT
On this day, Nnamdi Kanu was at his father’s compound in Abia State, where he addressed a crowd of his Biafra agitators. It was on the occasion of the Shabbat, a Jewish religious programme. The video of the event went viral on the social media. But his bail condition says he must not be seen in a crowd more than 10 people.
JUNE 20, 2017, SUPPORTERS’ VISIT
Again, on June 20, at his father’s palace, Kanu received a crowd of his supporters.
JUNE 22, 2017, OYI LG VISIT
On the 22nd June, 2017, Biafrans from Oyi local government area of Anambra state visited the leader of IPOB in his country home in Afara-Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, in solidarity with him and to reiterate their support for the Biafra struggle.
Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Nkwere-Ezunanka, Umunna and 33 electronics market were represented. The solidarity visit was occasioned by kanu’s call for Biafrans in Anambra State to boycott the November governorship election. No sooner had kanu’s Oyi visitors left than another group from Asab thronged the palace.
JUNE 27, 2017, VISIT TO PORT HARCOURT
On Tuesday, June 27, Kanu was welcomed by massive crowd to Port Harcourt, Rivers state. He met with members of the Ijaw Youth Council in Port Harcourt.
INTERVIEW WITH THE SUN
Although the bail prevents Kanu from speaking to the media, He has granted interviews. In the latest, published by The Sun on Monday, he described Jonathan as a weak president, saying his wife would have performed better in that office.
DEUTSCHE WELLE INTERVIEW
In a recent interview with the German media outfit, Kanu threatened that “if the government does not agree to organise a referendum, there would be no elections in Biafra land. “No more elections here.They can put whoever they like in office. They can do whatever they like with their political positions. We will not engage in any political process.
When the case resumes in July, if Kanu’s conduct so far will play a role in whether he continues enjoying bail or he returns to detention.