Nnamdi Kanu Removed from Courtroom After Disrupting Terrorism Trial Proceedings

Justice James Omotosho has ordered the removal of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from the courtroom on Thursday. The directive came after Kanu vocally objected to the court’s decision to proceed with delivering judgment in the terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu repeatedly interrupted the session, demanding that the judge cite the legal provision that allegedly barred him from submitting a final written address. His persistent outbursts led to a temporary suspension of the proceedings, during which security personnel were instructed to escort him out of the courtroom.

Earlier in the session, Justice Omotosho had ruled against several new motions filed by Kanu, stating that the issues raised had already been addressed in earlier stages of the trial. The court also rejected Kanu’s plea to escalate the matter to the Court of Appeal, referencing Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which prohibits halting criminal proceedings once they are underway.

Additionally, the judge declined Kanu’s request for bail, noting that the concerns he raised would be considered during the final judgment. However, as Justice Omotosho prepared to read the verdict, Kanu once again disrupted the process, insisting that the court lacked the authority to proceed without acknowledging his written submissions.

The courtroom disruption ultimately forced the judge to pause the session and have Kanu forcibly removed to restore order.