BREAKING: Kanu’s Outburst Disrupts Court, Forces Judge To Halt Proceedings

Tension gripped the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday after detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, disrupted proceedings, prompting the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, to temporarily suspend ruling to restore order.

The drama unfolded shortly after the court began sitting. Kanu rose to address the bench, drawing attention to a motion he filed on November 17 seeking bail pending the determination of his trial. He insisted there was no valid charge before the court, arguing that no one can be tried “on an unwritten law.”

He also urged the court to halt proceedings, citing a pending application before the Court of Appeal.

Justice Omotosho, ruling on the request, held that the application for stay of proceedings was incompetent, relying on Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which prohibits stay of proceedings in criminal trials to avoid delays caused by interlocutory appeals.

The judge further ruled that the matter had already progressed to the stage of final addresses, making Kanu’s renewed request for bail untenable.

“The issues raised are unmeritorious and are hereby dismissed,” Justice Omotosho held.

But the ruling triggered an outburst from the IPOB leader, who stood up and objected loudly, insisting that the law mandates that all final addresses must be submitted in writing and that he had not waived that right.

He shouted repeatedly:

“Show me where it is that you can charge me on an unwritten law!”

The situation escalated, forcing Justice Omotosho to direct operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to seize the courtroom microphone from Kanu and escort him out of the courtroom.

As he was being led away, Kanu continued shouting:

“Any judgment delivered in this case is rubbish! Where is the law? Where is the law?!”

The judge subsequently stood down the matter briefly to restore calm before proceedings resumed.

More details to follow…