Tension and drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, vehemently opposed the delivery of judgment in his ongoing terrorism trial. The courtroom quickly descended into chaos as proceedings became increasingly heated between Kanu, the presiding judge, and court officials.
The disruption began after the court dismissed several of Kanu’s applications, including his urgent request to submit a final written address before the judgment was handed down. Kanu had argued that this submission was necessary to fully present his defense, but the court ruled that it would proceed based on the arguments and materials already on record, as outlined in previous hearings. At the prior session, Justice James Omotosho had waived the requirement for final written submissions, stating that the court was satisfied with the documentation and oral arguments previously presented by both parties.
Kanu expressed profound dissatisfaction with this ruling, insisting that the decision denied him a fair and adequate opportunity to argue his case comprehensively. The situation escalated when Justice Omotosho reminded Kanu that he retained the right to appeal the court’s ruling at the appropriate time, a comment which further inflamed the IPOB leader’s reaction.
In a loud and disruptive outburst, Kanu shouted repeatedly, “You don’t know the law… Don’t touch me… God will punish you now and forever.” His words reverberated through the courtroom, creating confusion and making it impossible for proceedings to continue in an orderly manner. The intensity of his response drew the attention of court security officers, who attempted to calm him down, but their efforts proved futile as Kanu continued to protest vocally against the court’s decisions.
Ultimately, to restore order and allow the court to function, security personnel had to physically remove Kanu from the courtroom. The dramatic incident highlighted both the high-profile nature of the trial and the challenges associated with managing courtroom behavior during contentious legal proceedings in Nigeria, especially in cases that attract significant public attention and media coverage.
The confrontation has reignited discussions online and among legal analysts about the conduct of defendants in court, the procedural handling of terrorism-related cases, and the balance between judicial authority and the rights of accused individuals to defend themselves fully. Observers noted that Kanu’s outburst could impact public perception of the trial and has once again brought IPOB and its leader into the national spotlight.
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'Where is the law? You don't know the law,' Nnamdi Kanu challenges court pic.twitter.com/DTcPrQu7ly
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