The federal government’s absence at the Economic Community of West African States Court of Justice today, October 5, stalled a case filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu.

Following his detention in Kuje prison and Nigerian government disobedience of court order, Kanu had asked the regional court to give an order mandating that his detention is unlawful.

He also asked the ECOWAS court to make an order mandating the Nigerian government to release him unconditionally.

However, hearing on the matter which was slated today was stalled following absence of counsels for the defendants.

At the call of the case, the counsel representing Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor told the court that the Nigerian government had submitted an application to be absent for the matter.He also said the application by the counsels of the FG was served on him a few hours before the slated time for hearing.

Ejiofor informed the court the director appointed to represent the FG had another matter at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

He further asked the court to fine the Nigerian government for absconding from a matter it was fully aware of its hearing.

Having listened to the applicant’s submission, the lead judge over the matter Ifeanyi Nwoke said the excuse given by the Nigerian government was not enough to warrant their absence since the case had been scheduled for today, a long time ago.

Nwoke further adjourned the matter to Tuesday, November 8, for judgement on Kanu’s applications.

Kanu was arrested in Lagos by the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 14, 2015 on his arrival from the United Kingdom.

He was accused of treasonable felony, mismanagement of an unlawful society and concealing goods in a container.