The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has warned that it would no longer entertain any form of delay in the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Trial Justice James Omotosho, who noted that the case has dragged for about 10 years, fixed six different dates for the Federal Government which is prosecuting Kanu on a seven-count terrorism and treasonable felony charge, to wrap up its case.
It will be recalled that Justice Omotosho took over the trial after the previous judge, Binta Nyako, who was the fourth judge to preside over the case, withdrew from the matter after she was accused of bias by the embattled IPOB leader.
Meanwhile, at the resumed proceeding on Thursday, the defendant’s legal team, led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, concluded the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, PW-2, who gave his evidence behind a protective shield.
The witness, who is an operative of the Department of State Services, was simply identified as BBB, as the court earlier granted permission for his true name to be shielded, for security reasons.
Answering questions under re-examination, the witness maintained that the Eastern Security Network, ESN, which the defendant established as the armed wing of the IPOB, is an illegal organization that lacks the backing of the law.
Responding to questions from FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awolowo, SAN, the witness told the court that whereas the DSS regards the ESN as an unlawful group, it, however, accords recognition to operations of Amotekun in the South West region of the country.
According to the operative, Amotekun, whose members also carry arms, was formed with the support of Houses of Assembly of the six states that make up the South West region.
“My lord, while the ESN is not a registered organization recognized by law, Amotekun was established following the law passed by the respective Houses of Assembly in the affected States,” the witness added.
Earlier in the proceeding, a member of Kanu’s legal team, Mr. Paul Erokoro, tendered in evidence, a Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for victims of EndSARs and other Related Abuses and related matters.
The evidence was to dislodge the prosecution’s claim that it was Kanu that masterminded the violence and destructions that trailed the EndSARS protest in Lagos State.
Report of the panel, which was tendered from the Bar, was admitted and marked as exhibit PWUO.
Likewise, the defence team tendered a flash drive and its accompanying certificate of compliance, and they were admitted and marked as exhibits PWI and PWP, respectively.
With approval of the judge, the defence team also played a video evidence that showed public speeches that were made by the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; and a former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma.
Also Read
- Customs intercept stolen cars, N3.2bn illicit goods
- How Nigeria’s traditional medicine policy falters in the face of a healthcare crisis, by Oladoja M.O
- #JP2025: Juma Jux confirms date for final wedding reception with Priscilla Ojo
- SDP names Senator Uba Deputy National Chairman
- NiDCOM advocates holistic approach in combating human trafficking in Nigeria
In the short video clip, the DSS DG, Ajayi spoke on the need for communities to cooperate with security agencies to stem the tide of insecurity.
He concluded by stating that the fight against insecurity should not be left for security agencies alone, even as he expressed the need for communities to rise up and defend themselves against miscreants and criminals within their territory.
On his part, the Imo State Governor, Uzodinma, was seen in a video, exonerating the ESN from killings of top politicians in Orlu, blaming same on opposition politicians.
In his own speech, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. T.Y. Danjuma was seen, urging citizens to rise up and defend themselves.
Gen. Danjuma, while accusing security agents of aiding and protecting criminals, said: “If you are depending on the Armed Forces to stop the killings, you will die, one-by-one.”
Trial Justice Omotosho, who noted that Kanu has spent a long time in detention, said it was the reason he ordered accelerated hearing of the case.
Vanguard reports that Trial Justice Omotosho, therefore, slated May 28 and 29 and June 6, 16, 18 and 19 for FG to close its case.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
