In a new twist to the ongoing trial of Director of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, he has asked Justice John Tsoho, of the Federal High Court, in Abuja, to hands off the case.
Last October, the Federal Government charged Kanu with treasonable felony and the case has suffered series of adjournments.
Yesterday, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor said they have asked the Court of Appeal to reassign the matter.
After the court’s hearing yesterday, Ejiofor told newsmen that although “the defence is not accusing the judge of being biased, it is just that the position of the judge is very obvious to the whole world.”
Bringing up an incident that happened in court, Ejiofor said the parties would have to wait for the decision of the Appeal Court on the matter. He explained further: “Look at what transpired this morning, the judge cut short the adumbration of the defence counsel… adumbration is a right, and the right of adumbration is under our procedural law and having been provided as such, the court should allow us the right to adumbrate on our motion on notice before it.
“That is why we have asked the Court of Appeal to reassign the matter.”
Justice Tsoho had earlier granted the Department of State Services (DSS) the permission to protect its witnesses.
But, following the court’s ruling, Kanu made an appeal on Tsoho’s ruling on the protection of DSS witnesses.
While Ejiofor said they have asked the Court of Appeal to reassign the matter, his lead counsel, Chuks Muoma had argued that it will be wrong to accuse a person in public and decide to try him in secret.
Kanu is facing trial for illegal possession of firearms and assisting in the management of an unlawful society alongside two others. He is also facing a six-count treason charge. (Daily Sun)