Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), moments ago clashed with Justice Omotosho at the Federal High Court.
Earlier on Thursday morning, proceedings at the Federal High Court took an unexpected turn when the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, ordered the removal of Nnamdi Kanu who is standing trial on alleged terrorism, from the courtroom over what he described as “unruly behavior.”
The incident followed a tense exchange in which Kanu repeatedly challenged the court’s decision to proceed without allowing him to present a final written address. A viral video seen by ENigeria News and circulating online earlier showed the IPOB leader insisting that he had not waived his constitutional right to make the address.
“A final written address is my constitutional right, and my lord, I have not waived that right,” Kanu insisted. “I must be allowed to address the court on all the issues.”
The confrontation escalated as Kanu continued to interrupt the court, prompting multiple attempts by Justice Omotosho to caution him before he was finally removed from the court by men of the Department of State Security (DSS).
Justice Omotosho who rose and announced that the court would reconvene, however noted that the court would proceed to delivering judgment in the absence of the defendant, adding that “nobody is above the law and fundamental rights are not absolute.”
During the trial which was broadcasted live on national television, the defendant was
