365Daily – The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has denied that he fled to the United Kingdom (UK) because he wanted to jump the bail granted to him on health grounds in 2017, saying he only éscaped’ to safety after his house was invaded by the Nigerian military.

Speaking at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, he faulted the allegation that he flouted the conditions of the bail granted to him by the same court in April, 2017.

The bail was revoked in March, 2019.

The IPoB leader told the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako: “I did not jump bail, My lord….I only went underground when the Nigerian armed forces raided my residence in Abia State, which led to the death of some people. So, I had to run for my safety.”

Kanu and his co-defendants were charged with offences of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of arms, and illegal importation of broadcast equipment.

He was was re-arrested and returned to Nigeria on Sunday, June 27, 2021, a disclosure by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said on Tuesday, June 29.

According to Malami, the IPOB leader was arrested through “collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.”

The AGF did not give further details on the arrest.

Kanu was ordered to be remanded in DSS custody by the trial judge, Binta Nyako, in continuance of his trial which will now be granted an accelerated hearing.

The case will come up on July 26 and 27, 2021.

365Daily recalls that IPOB initially started as an unarmed and peaceful group agitating for secession but later created a militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), which has been accused by the government of targeting state forces and structures for destruction.