Judge Omotosho Orders Nnamdi Kanu Removed from Courtroom During Ruling
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered security to eject Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from the courtroom after he became disruptive during Thursday’s session.
The incident occurred as the judge was set to deliver his ruling. Kanu had repeatedly insisted that the court could not proceed, arguing he had not submitted his final written address.
He also accused Justice Omotosho of lacking legal knowledge and bias.
In the same sitting, Justice Omotosho dismissed three new motions filed by Kanu, calling them unmeritorious.
The court also rejected Kanu’s plea to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, citing provisions under section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which restrict the stay of criminal proceedings.
Kanu’s request for bail was also rejected, though the judge indicated that some of his raised issues would be addressed in the final judgment.
This comes ahead of the court’s scheduled judgment on November 20 in Kanu’s long-running terrorism trial.
Kanu’s defense team has previously warned that the judge must hear their Motion to Arrest Judgment, a legal instrument that, they argue, should prevent a ruling until crucial legal challenges are resolved.
IPOB has criticized Justice Omotosho before, questioning his impartiality and alleging that he is siding with the government.