'Deliver Judgment In My Absence If You Want'

‘Deliver Judgment In My Absence If You Want’ – Kanu Confronts Court
Judge orders judgment to proceed without him due to repeated disruptions.
Court says disruptive conduct cannot override established legal procedure.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it lacks the jurisdiction to continue his trial on terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021, is facing seven counts relating to alleged incitement, operating an unlawful group and conduct considered a threat to national security. During proceedings, he argued that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he is being prosecuted has been repealed.

He urged the court to dismiss the charges, insisting they “disclosing no offence known to law” and should therefore be struck out. He also asked the court to nullify what he described as the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was done “through deception” and violated a Supreme Court ruling. Kanu further asked the court to void all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.

“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.

However, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, ruled that judgment in the case would be delivered in Kanu’s absence following what he described as the defendant’s repeated unruly behaviour in court. The situation escalated when Kanu repeatedly interrupted proceedings and demanded to know “where it is written in the law” that he could not file a final written address.

According to reports, Justice Omotosho ordered security operatives to bundle Kanu out of the courtroom after he refused to obey multiple warnings and disrupted the session. DSS officers escorted him out as the judge briefly stood down the matter.

After dismissing Kanu’s latest motions, which were filed after the case had already been scheduled for judgment, Justice Omotosho addressed the defendant’s conduct. He noted that while the Constitution guarantees an accused person’s right to be present during trial, the court also holds inherent powers to preserve 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 remain calm, but the IPOB leader “in his usual manner, refused.”

Justice Omotosho added, “Nobody is above the law. If we allow people to act how they please, it will outrule the sanctity of the court.” He ruled that judgment in the case will be delivered even if Kanu is not present, stressing that the court will not be held hostage by persistent disruptions.