Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja is already delivering a live judgement in the ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Earlier on Thursday, the court session resumed with live coverage of the trial by the media.
During the proceedings, Kanu raised objections on the legality of his trial, insisting that the court was acting in violation of a subsisting Supreme Court order.
The defendant was granted permission to address the court, where he argued that there was no legal basis for continuing the trial, particularly in relation to Count 7 of the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Kanu argued, “There is no law in Nigeria that supports my trial,” insisting that the charges contradicted the directives of the apex court.
Initially, Kanu was charged on a-11-count charge.
Subsequently the charge was ammended to a 7 count offences, which include allegations that Kanu issued a “sit-at-home” directive in the South-East, accompanied by a threat that anyone who disobeyed the order should “write his or her will.”
The prosecution said the threat led to the shutdown of banks, schools, markets, and other businesses in the South East, amounting to an act of terrorism.
Kanu dismissed the count as baseless, reiterating that he could not be tried on charges he described as unconstitutional and unsupported by Nigerian Laws.
The court thereafter dismissed his objections and was about giving the verdict when the defendant began raising his voice in court, and calling the court.
According to Justice Omotosho, “I proceed to deliver my judgement.”
Kanu interjected, “My lord, it is my case, let me finish!
Justice Omotosho urged the defendant, “Can you listen to the court. Please, I beg you to comport yourself, you have the right to appeal.”
When the defendant was protesting the proceeding, the court ordered the security, “Take him out. Can you please take him out, I will rise and come back, can you please take him out. I rise.”
