A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja descended into brief chaos on Thursday after Justice James Omotosho ordered security operatives to remove detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the courtroom.
The incident occurred when Kanu repeatedly shouted that the court could not proceed with delivering judgment in the terrorism case against him without accepting his written address. His interruptions forced the judge to temporarily halt proceedings as security personnel escorted him out.
Earlier, Justice Omotosho had dismissed a set of fresh motions filed by Kanu after the matter had already been slated for judgment. The court held that the issues raised were not new and had previously been decided.
The judge also rejected Kanu’s request to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, citing Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which prohibits a stay of proceedings in criminal trials. His application for bail was similarly refused, with the court noting that some of his arguments would be addressed in the final judgment.
As the judge prepared to begin reading the judgment, Kanu insisted the court lacked jurisdiction without his written address on record, leading to the confrontation that prompted his removal.
