The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, admitted in evidence three judgments, including that of Justice Benson Anya of the Abia State High Court, who ordered the Nigerian government to pay the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu the sum of N1 billion for the unlawful invasion of his residence in 2017 by the Nigerian Army.
Justice Anya had, in the judgment on the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Kanu, declared that, the invasion of Kanu’s home in Abia State in September 2017 by the military was illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounted to infringement of his fundamental rights to life, the dignity of his person, his liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
Also admitted in evidence were Certified True Copies (CTC) of judgments in suit FHC/UM/CS/30/2022 delivered on October 26, 2022 between Nnamdi Kanu Vs FRN and E/20/2023 between Kanu Vs FRN.
The trial Judge, Justice James Omotosho, who admitted the three judgments which were tendered from the Bar, marked them as exhibits PWL, PWM, and PWN respectively.
The three judgments were tendered by the counsel to the defendant, Paul Erokoro, SAN during the cross- examination of the prosecution witness simply identified as BBB.
Meanwhile, counsel to the prosecution, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN protested against the live streaming of Court proceedings of the trial by the defense team.
In a letter dated May 14, the prosecution lawyer recommended that the use of phones be banned from the courtroom henceforth and lamented the action of Aloy Ejimakor, a member of Kanu’s legal team, who posted alleged misleading information on social media.
Awomolo accused Ejimakor of posting misleading, embarrassing, and unpleasant commentaries on social media on the ongoing case, which is a serious matter that should not be trivialised by any lawyer from any of the parties.
However, Kanu’s lead counsel condemned the action of Ejimakor and apologised profusely over the conduct and promised that such would not repeat itself.
In his reaction, Justice James Omotosho expressed displeasure over the unprofessional conduct by lawyers in the legal team of the IPOB leader, adding that they are mere content creators who did not want an end to the trial for their selfish interest.
He charged all parties in the case, especially those prosecuting the trial on social media, to act professionally so as not to have themselves blamed.
He particularly warned Aloy Ejimakor to stop such conduct that may warrant the disbarment of a lawyer, adding that “Ejimakor even has the audacity to post the approved list of counsel for Nnamdi Kanu on his Facebook page.”
Justice Omotosho charged all parties in the matter to avoid acts that could amount to misconduct and to watch what they post on social media.
The Judge said he granted an accelerated hearing into the case in the interest of all parties, particularly for Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody for too long
The actual case later continued with the cross-examination PW2 (a personnel of the DSS) code-named BBB by Paul Erokoro, SAN, who conducted proceedings on behalf of the defence.
On whether the DSS can be influenced by politicians or ministers, the witness said, the agency is under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) adding that, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) does not teleguide the operations of the DSS.
Asked about the mode of intelligence gathering by the DSS, the witness noted that the sources are many, including human, social media, among others.
The DSS operative further said owing to their mode of training, DSS operatives have the capacity to get information where necessary.
The court thereafter adjourned the matter till Thursday, May 22, 2025 for continuation of cross examination of the second prosecution witness.
