By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata & Omoniyi David
The Federal High Court in Abuja witnessed dramatic scenes on Thursday ahead of the delivery of judgment in the terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, a session scheduled for live broadcast across major television stations.
Earlier in the day, court officials confirmed to journalists that the judgment would be aired live, with cameramen from NTA, Channels TV, AIT and TVC setting up equipment inside the courtroom.
Justice James Omotosho had fixed November 7 for the ruling, having foreclosed Kanu’s defence after the defendant insisted he would not proceed under what he claimed was a repealed law.
The judge held that Kanu had exhausted the six days allotted for him to open his defence and therefore could not claim denial of fair hearing.
However, proceedings later descended into chaos when Kanu repeatedly interrupted the court, insisting the judge could not proceed with the judgment without allowing him to file a written address.
The disruptions began after Justice Omotosho dismissed a fresh set of applications filed by Kanu, noting that the issues had been previously determined and that Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act prohibits a stay of proceedings in criminal matters.
Kanu’s bail request was also refused, though the judge said some of his concerns would be addressed in the main judgment.
Tension peaked as Justice Omotosho attempted to begin reading the judgment and Kanu rose again, demanding that the court show where the law barred him from submitting a written address.
His persistent protests forced the judge to order security operatives to remove him from the courtroom.
As he was escorted out, Kanu continued to insist the court lacked jurisdiction to proceed without admitting his written address.
The court is expected to continue with the delivery of the long-awaited judgment despite the disruptions.
