Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday ruled that judgment in the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, would be delivered in his absence following what the judge described as the defendant’s persistent unruly behaviour in court.
The decision came after repeated interruptions by Kanu, who insisted that the court could not proceed with judgment and demanded to know “where it is written in the law” that he could not file a final written address.
Trouble began when Kanu raised his voice several times and continued speaking despite repeated warnings from the bench.
According to Naijaonpoint, Justice Omotosho ordered security operatives to bundle Kanu out of the courtroom after he defied instructions and disrupted proceedings.
The judge temporarily stood down the matter as DSS personnel escorted Kanu out of the chamber.
After dismissing Kanu’s fresh motions, which had been filed after the matter was already slated for judgment, Justice Omotosho addressed the defendant’s conduct.
He stated that while the Constitution guarantees the right of an accused person to be present during trial, the court also has the power to maintain order.
He said, “God established the court for justice. Kanu’s unruly behaviour is not new. We have seen instances where the defendant beats his clients, shutting them up.”
The judge said he had appealed to Kanu “severally” to comport himself, but the IPOB leader “in his usual manner, refused.”
Justice Omotosho said, “Nobody is above the law. If we allow people to act how they please, it will outrule the sanctity of the court.”
Citing Kanu’s aggressiveness and unruliness, Justice Omotosho ruled that the judgment will be delivered even if the defendant is not present in court.
He stressed that the court would not be held hostage by disruptive conduct, especially after repeatedly urging the defendant to follow established procedure.
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