The bid by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to be moved to the National Hospital for urgent treatment has hit a wall after a Federal High Court judge in Abuja refused to hear the case and sent it back for reassignment.
Justice Musa Liman, sitting as a vacation judge, ruled that he had no time to take the motion and promptly returned the file to the Chief Judge.
Kanu’s lawyer, Uchenna Njoku, SAN, had pleaded with the court to act fast on the health-related motion, but Liman said the case was filed too late and could not be decided before the court vacation ended.
With over 30 matters listed for the day, the judge admitted the court was swamped and only six were taken.
He stressed that under Section 46(8) of the FHC Rules, all unfinished vacation cases must go back to the Chief Judge for fresh assignment.
DSS counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, did not oppose the move.
He added, “Had it been that they filed the application earlier, it would have been taken during vacation. But we are ready to take the motion any time, any day.”
Kanu’s fate now rests on when the Chief Judge reassigns the case for fresh hearing.
