Tension erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday after Justice James Omotosho ordered security operatives to forcefully escort IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, out of the courtroom. The dramatic scene unfolded as Kanu repeatedly interrupted proceedings, insisting that the court could not deliver judgement without accepting his written address.
The outburst prompted the judge to pause the session while security personnel moved in to remove the detained separatist leader. Kanu had defiantly demanded that the judge point to any law that barred him from filing the additional address, raising his voice several times despite warnings to desist.
Earlier, the court dismissed a series of fresh motions filed by Kanu, noting that they merely reintroduced issues the defence had previously raised. Justice Omotosho ruled that the court would not entertain repetitive arguments, particularly after the matter had already been slated for judgement.
The judge also rejected Kanu’s request for the case to be referred to the Court of Appeal, citing Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which prohibits the stay of proceedings in criminal trials. According to the court, the law does not allow an interruption of the trial at this stage.
A separate request for bail was equally denied, with the judge stating that some of Kanu’s concerns would be addressed during the final judgement. The ruling signalled the court’s intention to proceed despite the defendant’s objections.
The situation escalated again when Justice Omotosho attempted to begin reading the judgement. Kanu shouted that the court lacked jurisdiction without first accepting his written address, leading to the judge’s order for security agents to remove him to restore order.
Proceedings were temporarily stood down after the outburst, with the courtroom left in a tense atmosphere as the case moved towards a decisive conclusion.
