Terrorism trial: Judge delivers judgment after Nnamdi Kanu’s removal from court

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Justice James Omotosho has proceeded to deliver judgment in terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB after the secessionist organisation leader was removed from court.

The Judge had gone into his chambers for short adjournment after unruly behavior by Nnamdi Kanu resulted in commotion in court.

The IPOB leader had tried to halt the proceedings of the court after the three applications he filed to arrest the delivery of the judgment were thrown out by the court.

The Judge ordered the removal of the IPOB leader from court when he became unruly and refused to obey directives to sit down and stop talking.

Kanu had rained expletives on the Judge before leaving the court.

However, the Judge returned to the court later to deliver the judgment.

Before he proceeded to begin delivery of the judgment, Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu has history of unruly behaviors in the court with attacks and verbal abuses of security operatives, his lawyers and court.

He noted that nobody should be allowed to trample with the sanctity of the court.

He added that as a judicial officer he is bound to protect the sanctity of temple of justice as he noted that while the right to be present throughout the trial is a constitutional and fundamental rights, it is not absolute.

“Once you have been given the opportunity and you fail to use that opportunity, such person cannot claim a breach of that right. This morning, the defendant was given that opportunity.

“He has misconducted himself in this manner several times. And I think this is the time to put a stop to it. It is trite law that if a defendant misbehaves or acts unruly in the courtroom, his trial can be done absence.

“As stated by the defendant this morning, he said he has put in his defense. He is not calling any witness. And I will get to the issue of issuing address in the judgments. We are not taking evidence this morning. It is to take judgment and sentence if possible.

“It is based on that, that I hereby make an order that because of the unruly behavior of defendants, his aggressiveness and violent nature, I hereby make an order that the judgment and other proceedings proceed in his absence,” the Judge said as he proceeded to deliver his judgment.