Tag: Nnamdi Kanu

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Dec. 8 for hearing in a motion ex-parte filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Thursday after he declined to give audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who announced appearance for the IPOB leader inspite of not being a lawyer.

Kanu, in the motion ex-parte personally signed by him, had sought an order that, in view of the impossibility of the applicant (Kanu) being present in court or chambers to personally move the motion, “this motion shall be deemed moved in abstentia and in terms of the motion.”

He also sought an order compelling the Federal Government and/or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) “to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

Alternately, Kanu sought an order transferring him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, who was convicted for terrorism offences on Nov. 20, is presently serving the life imprisonment at the Sokoto State Correctional Centre.

The convict, who sacked his team of lawyers prior to the judgment, had opted to defend himself.

When the case was called on Thursday, Justice Omotosho asked for appearance of a lawyer.

But Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, who is not a lawyer, then announced appearance for the IPOB leader.

The judge then told Emmanuel that such an application cannot be moved by him.

“This ex-parte motion cannot be moved on the convict’s behalf because you are not a legal practitioner,” he said.

The judge, who said only a legal practitioner can move the motion, advised Emmanuel to either engage a lawyer or approach the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria for legal representation since the law allows it.

“When I said representation, it is not his (Kanu’s) father, brother, sister or relations I meant. I mean his counsel.

“I am not going to the merit of this application now in the interest of justice.

“But you cannot represent a human being when you are not a lawyer, you can only represent a corporate body.

“Therefore, you cannot move the application because you are not a solicitor or advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“For you to be qualified as a lawyer, it will take you another six years or thereabout. So get a counsel to move the application,” the judge said.

When Emmanuel asked for the next adjourned date, Justice Omotosho said though there were cases on the court docket on Monday, Kanu would be accommodated.

“Thank you sir,” Emmanuel responded.

The judge, therefore, cautioned against misleading the public on how Kanu could compile his record of appeal.

Justice Omotosho said contrary to a remark by Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s lawyers who was later engaged as a consultant, the convict need not be in court for his record to be compiled.

“Let me advise generally so that you don’t delay the process.

“The issue of appeal, I must not pretend that I am not part of the society.

“Mr Ejimakor granted an interview, talking about the deprivation of the defendant (Kanu) to compile his record.

“That is an erroneous opinion.

“The defendant may not be in court to compile record.

“His attendance is not required, though the appearance of his representative may be required.

“The rights of a defendant is different from the rights of a convict,” he said.

The judge equally put the question to lawyers in court on whether it is a necessity for Kanu to be present before his record could be compiled and they responded in the negative.

Justice Omotosho, who advised Emmanuel to engage a knowledgeable lawyer, said that a lawyer who is grossly inadequate in knowledge of appellate procedure should stop misleading the public.

“I think it is high time we address the right opinion. Appropriate legal advice is necessary,” he said.

Justice Omotosho consequently refused to give audience to Emmanuel, having not been a lawyer.

The judge adjourned the matter until Dec. 8 for hearing of pending application.

Kanu, while giving 8 grounds in the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, said he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the court on Nov. 20.

He said the judge, in sentencing him, ordered his detention in any correctional centre in Nigeria except Kuje Correctional Centre.

“On the 21st of November, 2025, the applicant was transferred to and is currently detained at the Sokoto Correctional Facility, which is over 700 kilometres from Abuja.

“The applicant, who is currently unrepresented by counsel, intends to personally exercise his constitutional right of appeal against the conviction and sentence.

“The preparation of the notice of appeal and the record of appeal require the applicant’s personal interface with the Registry of this Honourable Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

“All persons critical to assisting the applicant in preparing his appeal, including his relatives, associates, and legal consultants, are based in Abuja.

“The applicant’s continued detention in Sokoto renders his constitutional right to appeal impracticable, occasioning exceptional hardship and potentially defeating the said right, in violation of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” he said.

Kanu said it would be in the interest of justice that he be transferred to a facility near Abuja to effectively prosecute his appeal.

 

 

Nnamdi Kanu has filed a N50 billion suit in damages against the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for allegedly tendering a forged medical report in his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu, in his fresh suit at the Abuja High Court, also sought an order compelling the NMA to conduct a proper, independent medical examination of him by competent specialists not connected with the defendants in the instant suit.

Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had, in the suit, named NMA; its President, Dr Bala Audi and members of the team the issued the medical report as defendants.

The team included Dr Benjamin Egbon; Prof. Emem Abraham; Dr Ajibare Adeola; Dr Temitope Farombi; Dr Sunday Owolade; Dr Mustapha Salihu; Dr Yarima Yusuf; Dr Nwosu Ekeoma and Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certified true copy of the suit marked: CV/4584/25, dated and filed on Nov. 12 by Maxwell Opara, was made available to newsmen on Saturday.

The IPOB leader accused the defendants of malice, negligence and professional misconduct, including their alleged failure to perform the duty imposed on them by the trial court to personally examine him.

Kanu claimed that the defendants knowingly issued a false and misleading medical report and acted in bad faith, reckless disregard, and gross dereliction of professional ethics.

He also accused them of conspiring “to pervert and in fact perverted the course of justice” and “caused avoidable pain and injury to the claimant’s person and reputation. ”

Kanu, in his statement of claim, averred that no medical examination was conducted on him as ordered by the trial court.

He stated that “while standing trial at the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, he experienced a significant deterioration in his health condition.”

He said, through his counsel, he submitted a medical report to the trial court evidencing his ill-health and prayed for either bail or access to proper medical care.

He said after the prosecution challenged the authenticity of his said medical report, the trial court ordered NMA to constitute a committee to examine him and make an independent medical report on his state of health and fitness to stand trial while in detention.

“Pursuant to the said order, the 1st defendant- Nigerian Medical Association- acting through its President; the 2nd defendant, was to constitute a panel and physically examine the claimant at the place of his detention.

“The claimant avers that at no time did the 2nd defendant or any committee of the 1st defendant visited, interviewed or examined him medically in compliance with the order of the court,” Kanu said.

He said he was, however, surprised that the defendants purportedly forged, prepared and submitted a false medical report dated Sept. 23 to Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court (FHC).

According to him, the said report is a fabrication, made without any medical examination or consultation with the claimant (Kanu).

He said such action constituted a gross professional misconduct, perjury, reckless disregard for the authority of the court and his rights.

He said the “false report was intended to mislead the court and in fact, it did mislead the court, discredited the claimant’s genuine medical condition and subjected him to further suffering, pain, and risk of irreversible deterioration in
health.”

Kanu, therefore, sought a declaration that the purported medical report dated Sept. 23 and submitted by the defendants to FHC “is false, fabricated and made in violation of the order of the court and the professional ethics of medical practice.”

He urged the court to declare that their conduct constituted a gross violation of his right to fair hearing and to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Kanu sought, “An order directing the defendants to withdraw and publicly retract the said false medical report.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies or assigns from further publishing or relying on any false or unverified medical report concerning the claimant.

“An order compelling the Nigerian Medical Association to conduct a proper, independent medical examination of the claimant by competent specialists not connected with the defendants herein.

“An award of general damages in the sum of N50 billion for injury to health, reputation, emotional distress, and violation of the claimant’s fundamental rights.

“An award of exemplary damages in the sum of N500 million for malicious fabrication and abuse of professional authority.

“An award of the sum of N15 million being cost of this action.”

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, admitted in evidence video recordings of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), threatening some prominent Igbo leaders over their stance on his activities.

Justice James Omotosho admitted the video recording in evidence and marked as exhibit after Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, did not oppose its admissibility.

The video; an interview session Kanu had with an online platform, Sarahara Reporters, was tendered through the 3rd prosecution witness (PW-3), a DSS operative, identified as CCC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Omotosho had, earlier, delivered a ruling on the propriety of the evidence (statements and videos) initially sought to be tendered by the FG.
After the ruling, the PW-3 was called to continue with his evidence-in-chief.
The witness, while being led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Suraj Saida, SAN, identified the disk titled: “Interview with Sahara TV.”
The video, stored in a compact disc, was admitted by the court in evidence and later played.
In the video, Kanu was heard calling Nigeria a “zoo,” making allegations against some prominent Igbo figures and threatening to deal with them.
Kanu accused former Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Ike Nwanchukwu of killing Igbos.
He accused ex-Anambra Governor, Jim Nwobodo, of betraying Alex Ekweme, a fellow Igbo man.
He equally accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, of killing some Igbos and having their copses dumped in a river.
The defendant also accused former Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo of single handedly islamising the state.
Also in the video, Kanu was heard threatening violence if his Biafra objective was not achieved.
He said if Biafra was not granted, what is happening in Somalia will be like a child’s play to what will befall Nigeria, which he referred to as a zoo.
“If they do not give us Biafra, there will be nothing living in the zoo; nothing will survive there.
“I do not see Biafra happening peacefully. There is no freedom out of a peaceful process,” he said.
Kanu said he welcomed the attack on Enugu State’s Government House, adding that he would support anything that could overthrow the existing corrupt establishment.
While being cross examined by Erokoro, the witness said he did not investigate the veracity of the allegations made by Kanu against the named prominent Igbo indigenes.
He said his assignment was only to ascertain from Kanu if he actually granted the interview, which he said the defendant confirmed.
He said he was not aware that General Nwanchukwu, Nwobodo, Okorocha and Obi, whom Kanu made allegations against in the interview, were killed after the last national conference.
The witness denied knowing what the National Conference 2014 was about, as said by Kanu in the video.
The PW-3 also denied knowing if Kanu backtracked from his statements in subsequent videos he made.
The judge then adjourned the matter until June 13, June 16, June 17, June 18, and June 19 for continuation of trial.
Earlier, Justice Omotosho, in a ruling, upheld the objection raised by Kanu’s legal team to the admissibility of statements obtained from the defendant by DSS officials in the absence of his lawyers.
The judge held that the statements were not admissible on the grounds that the DSS failed to comply with the provision of Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The provision states that a suspect’s lawyer or any person of his/her choice must be available when he/she is to write a statement.
He held that though the provision of ACJA used the word, “May” to mean that “the presence of a lawyer to a suspect is not a must while making statement,” he could not close his eyes to the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue.
Justice Omotosho proceeded to mark the statements rejected and also expunged, from the court’s record, the video recordings of the interview/statement writing sessions that Kanu had with DSS officials in October 2015.
The judge also issued an order barring a lady said to be Kanu’s sister in-law, Mrs Favour Kanu, from attending all future proceedings.
He said she was in contempt, having been caught live streaming proceedings of the court, and making her followers make live comments.
The fair-complexioned woman, who was in court, was barred from further entering the premises of the court in Abuja, except where she is personally involved in any other case outside her brother in-law’s.
The judge issued the orders after holding her in contempt of the court for engaging in live broadcast and publicity of the court’s proceedings on her social media platform.
He observed that Favour was fond of publishing live updates of court proceedings and inviting comments from her followers.
The judge said Favour’s conduct was disrespectful of the institution of the court and amounted to contempt in the face of the court.
Justice Omotosho threatened to order her arrest should she persist with the contempt of court.
The judge, who ordered Favour out of the court room, said that today was the third time she would engage in unauthorised publication of live proceedings of the court.
Justice Omotosho recalled that he had earlier had cause to bar her from three sessions of the court’s sitting when she live streamed the proceedings.
The judge also warned that henceforth, he would send whoever engages in conduct similar to that of Favour to a correctional centre.
He also warned lawyers who engage in similar conduct to desist from it.

The Federal Government’s witness, on Wednesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), admitted smuggling a Biafra Radio transmitter into Nigeria.

The witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified as CCC for security reasons, told Justice James Omotosho while given his testimony as 3rd prosecution witness (PW-3) in the ongoing alleged terrorism trial of Kanu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSS had, earlier through its PW-2, tendered audio recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts from the radio station as exhibits.

In the recordings in 2020, Kanu was heard calling for the killing of several prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)’s Minister, Nyesom Wike.

While being led in evidence-in-chief by FG’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on Wednesday, CCC said Kanu set up the radio transmitter at Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
The witness identified a video recording of DSS officials’ inspection of the transmitter at Ubuluisiuzor in Anambra allegedly used by Kanu for his Radio Biafra and which, the witness said, the IPOB leader admitted smuggling into the country.
The video recording, stored in a disc, was one of about four video recordings admitted in evidence during proceedings in which the DSS denied subjecting Kanu to duress and asking him to say things about ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo.
CCC said he knew Kanu to be the leader of IPOB, a terrorist organisation.
The witness said he also knew Kanu as the founder of Radio Biafra, which he allegedly used to incite the public to maim and kill
He said he first met Kanu on Oct. 21, 2015 when he and three others were asked to interview him and obtain his statements in relation to his activities as the founder of IPOB and Radio Biafra.
He said the interview sessions, which happened between Oct. 21, 2015 and Oct. 24, 2015, were recorded on video with the consent of the defendant, who later wrote statements.
Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not object when Awomolo applied to tender the video recordings, which Justice Omotosho subsequently admitted in evidence.
Agabi however objected when Awomolo applied to tender the written statements, arguing that Kanu claimed he did not make them voluntary, an argument Awomolo countered.
In view of the development, Justice Omotosho demanded that the defence should specify what constituted the involuntariness alleged.
The judge then stopped proceedings briefly to allow one of the lawyers to the defendant, Paul Erokoro, SAN, to interact with Kanu, who was seated in the dock, on the issue.
When Erokoro returned, he told the court that Kanu told him that DSS officials denied him access to his lawyer, threatened not to allow him on bail and deny him the one hour granted him daily to receive fresh air in view of his health challenge.
The lawyer said Kanu also told him that his interrogators asked him to say things about ex-President Jonathan and former Gov. Okorocha, which were not his words.
At that point, Justice Omotosho ordered the conduct of a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of Kanu’s statements.
Awomolo then called PW-3 as the prosecution’s first witness in the-trial-within trial.
The witness denied that Kanu was subjected to any form of duress or coercion.
The witness faulted Kanu’s claim that he was kept in solitary confinement in an underground cell and that he suffered from any ill-treatment.
PW3, who was called TCCC in the trial-within-trial, said Kanu was given preferential treatment and served bottled water during the interview sessions.
The witness said he was surprised to hear the allegations made by the defendant.
He also denied that anyone asked Kanu to say things about Jonathan and Okorocha, adding that Kanu “spoke voluntarily and truthfully in the interviews.”
The DSS officials said the defendant was referring to their interactions over the interview he (Kanu) earlier granted to Sahara Reporters and in respect of which they asked for some clarifications.
He said: “During the Oct. 24, 2015 interview, the Sahara Reporters’ interview was played to him to confirm if he actually granted the interview, which he confirmed.”
The witness added that in the Sahara Reporters interview, Kanu referred to Nigeria as “zoo;” and claimed that Okorocha and others had islamised Nigeria.
He added that Kanu referred to the then President Muhammadu Buhari “in a very derogatory language.”
Three of the recordings of the interview sessions were played in court, showing Kanu, wearing a shirt and a pair of trousers, interacted freely with the DSS officials.
He smiled at some points and demanded to be served a particular brand of bottled water, which was handed to him by the DSS officials.
In the video, Kanu tried to rationalise his actions, including his many broadcasts, which he said were intended to bring about changes in the affairs of the country.
He said IPOB was meant to actualise the self-determination of the people of Biafra, while the Biafra Volunteer Force patterned after the Salvation Army, an army of volunteers who helped to propagate the messages of IPOB.
During cross examination by Erokoro, TCCC, who was the prosecution’s sole witness in the trial-within-trial insisted that Kanu was never subjected to coercion and that all the complaints he raised were addressed.
While testifying as the sole defence witness in the trial-within-trial, Kanu insisted that he was denied access to his lawyers and threatened by a DSS investigator, who he described as Mr Brown Ukuaba, an Assistant Director, of Investigation.
Kanu said when he was first arrested in Lagos in 2015, he was kept in chains and later blindfolded while being transported to Abuja.
He said he was kept in an underground cell and in solitary confinement.
He claimed that the video recordings played in court were edited.
Under cross examination by Awomolo, Kanu said his interview with the DSS officials enable him to explain the finances and hierarchy of the IPOB and its objectives.
Kanu said doctors attended to him at the DSS custody, adding that “they (the DSS authorities) have a good doctor there.”
Justice Omotosho, after the conclusion of the trial-within-trial, adjourned the matter until May 29 at 12 noon for adoption of parties’ final written address, in preparation for the ruling fixed for 2pm same date.

 

 

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday, said in a video played in court that the destructions witnessed during the #ENDSAR Protest in October 2020 could not have been as a result of his broadcasts on Biafra Radio.

Kanu stated this during his interrogation by the Department of State Service (DSS) on July 17, 2021, and the video evidence played before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that video recording of the session where the DSS investigators, including the witness, identified as BBB, interrogated Kanu and obtained written statement from him, was played in court.

BBB identified Kanu in the video as well as two of his lawyers who were with him during the session, including Alloy Ejimakor.

He, however, admitted making broadcast in respect of the #ENDSARS protest and other broadcasts on Biafra Radio.

He said the protest that took place in Lagos during the protest was outside the Biafran territory and that the mayhem witnessed during the period could not have been as a result of his broadcast.
Kanu confirmed being the founder and leader of IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Kanu said he was not directly involved in the day-to-day running of both organisations (IPOB and ESN), which he said were managed by their states’ coordinators.
During the interaction session, Kanu sought and was granted permission to ease himself.
He went into the restroom, returned a moment later and the interview session continued.
Kanu said he did not have authority over his members, adding that if he had had authority over them, he would not have subscribed to referendum.
He said he would have just pronounced Biafra into existence.
In the video, Kanu denied that IPOB was responsible for the violent attacks in some parts of the South East and the killings witnessed.
.
He said that IPOB was a peaceful and a non-violent movement
Kanu, who said he facilitated the establishment of ESN, explained that the organisation was necessitated by the killings of the people of the South East.
“If you look at what was happening in our land, that was what gave rise to ESN.
“If our people cannot go to farm, and people are killed in their land, do you sit down and do nothing?
“People can no longer go to farm; people can no longer carry out their economic activities,” he said.
Kanu faulted the invasion of his house by armed soldiers, which he said accounted for why he left the country for fear of being killed.
He argued that the invasion was unnecessary and also faulted the manner he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, BBB, who was the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), while being led in evidence by the Federal Government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, narrated how Radio Biafra broadcast by Kanu led to killing of eminent Nigerians, including security officers.
The witness said Kanu’s broadcasts led to the killing of a former Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to ex-President Gooluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak.
BBB said he was part of the DSS’ team that investigated the complaint made against Kanu by the then Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
He said the defendant’s broadcast also led to the killing of a retired judge, Justice Stanley Nnaji and an intending military couple; Sergeant Audu Lucas and Private Glory Matthew.
The witness said Kanu, in one of his broadcasts, ordered his followers to enforce a sit at home in all South Eastern states and in the process many people, who went out of their houses on that day, were killed.
He said investigation revealed that Sergeant Lucas and Private Matthew were not only killed by those who were enforcing Kanu’s sit at home order, they were also beheaded.
The witness said investigation also revealed that before killing Gulak, those enforcing the sit-at-home directive by Kanu, blamed him (Gulak) for coming out on a day their leader asked people not to go out of their homes.
He added that, from their investigation, they found that Kanu founded IPOB and ESN, which is the armed wing of IPOB, and that he was the leader of both groups.
“We were also able to establish that he (Kanu) founded Radio Biafra through which he made inciting comments like killing of police officers and burning of property,” the witness said.
He added that they also found that Radio Biafra was not registered in Nigeria and that owing to Kanu’s broadcast, police stations in Cele and Ilasa (both in Lagos) were burnt by his followers.
The witness said investigation also revealed that about 100 luxury buses, belonging to the Lagos Government and part of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos were burnt as allegedly directed by Kanu in one of his broadcasts.
The witness added: “He (Kanu) did not only call for the killing of security officers, he called for them to be beheaded, which they (his followers) did.”
He said their investigation revealed that Kanu’s agitation for Biafra was to secede the states of South East and part of Benue and Kogi from Nigeria.
According to him, the defendant called for the establishment of the state of Biafra by any means possible, including war.
After Awomolo concluded evidence-in-chief, the lawyer to the defendant, Paul Erokoro, SAN, sought an adjournment for the defence to cross examine the witness.
The judge adjourned the matter until May 14, May 21 and May 22 for further hearing.