NNAMDI KANU APPEARS IN COURT WEARING BIAFRA REGALIA – NO WITNESS TO TESTIFY AGAINST IPOB LEADER
It seems like Radio Biafra director and
leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, uses his
court appearances to send a message to the authorities – Today, February
19, Kany appeared in court with a Biafra-themed attire that suggests
his loyalty to the
cause he is pursuing is unshaken After
spending four months in detention, Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader does not
seem to be intimidated by the trial against him by the federal
government of Nigeria, because of his agitation for the freedom of
Biafra.
Kanu today, February 19 appeared at the
Federal High Court in Abuja, with a dress that signifies he is still in
tune with his agitation for Biafra.
The director of the Radio Biafra wore a
sparkling white lace dress. The dress, a simple native Nigerian wear,
had in its pocket, the colours used by the Biafra agitators as a
prospective colour of their flag and insignia should the freedom they so
desire be granted.
Also, during the trial, Kanu sat quietly
in his accused dock also smiled all through the argument on an
application for protection for witnesses by the DSS.
With him in court were two other accused
persons Madubugwu and David Nwawusi. The trio are facing charges of
illegal possession of firearms and assisting in the management of an
unlawful society.
Recall that earlier today, the
Department of State Security informed the court that there is likelihood
that witnesses for the trial Kanu might not testify without protection.
Speaking at the hearing on an
application made by the DSS, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe told
the court that it is obvious the defendants are absent.
He however said the application is
one that can be heard on the absence of the defendant. Having no
objection from the defense counsel, Chuks Muoma, the judge, John Tsoho
ruled that hearing on the application commence.
The prosecution informed the court
that attached to the motion on notice is a seven paragraph affidavit by
one Etim Okon with “heavy” reliance on all paragraphs especially
paragraph four.
He said the crux of the application
is to seek protection for the witness the prosecution intends to call in
for the trial of Kanu, in the interest of justice.
“My lord, I have looked at the
counter affidavit served by defense, I observed with the greatest
respect that the argument as canvased by the defense shows a
misconstruction,” Kaswe said. But in his defense, Muoma said the
prosecution had all the time to reply to his addresses by way of written
address. He urged the court to disallow the prosecution’s oral address
and if already on record should be expunged by the court.
My lord, the is a misconstructionas
to whether we a asking for a secret trial or a witness protection,” the
defense said. He asked the court to draw a distinction between a secret
trial and protection for the witness – which he said that they are
asking for.
He added that witnessesare also
unwilling to testify without some form of protection. But Muoma called
on the court to ask the prosecution to go back and read the application
before the court. He said the prosecution’s application implies that
masked individuals will be testifying before the court. But in
clarification, the prosecution said his application is to allow
witnesses most of whom he said are civilians protection.
He added that most of the witnesses
reside in the geographical location of the defendants. He also said that
the court should take into consideration that since the arrest of Kanu,
there has been protest in the defendant’s region. But Muoma said, on
the contrary, violence in the areas are being mainly constituted by the
federal government whom he said have unleashed terror on individuals
going about the normal activities.
Arguing further, Kaswe said the
application is harmless and majorly asks that only accredited
journalists cover the trial. Kaswe said: “We also asks that these press
men will not make public identities and residential locations of these
witnesses.“
But the judge in his response said
the question is whether the prosecution’s last prayer is in cognizance
of his prayers. Tsoho also asked the prosecution to be consistent with
the prayers and reliefs sought.
But Muoma citing section 364 of the
1999 Constitution as amended said there in no provision for
“masquerades” to testify as witnesses. Muoma said: “An accused person
under our jurisprudence must be confronted with his accusers eye balls
to eye balls.”
He added that Nigeria operates a
system of procedure on a common law under the Administration of
Criminal
Justice Act. “My lord, it is compatible and common sense with
jurisprudence that you cannot accuse someone on the streets in public
and try him in the bedroom,” Muoma said.
He said the tenets of justice out
ways the application by the DSS and that there is no merit in the
prayers sought. He also said that secret trial is for terrorism not for
the kind of offences – possession of firearms and management of an
unlawful society – that the defendants have been accused of.
Nnamdi Kanu later arrived in court
during procession. As at the time of filing this report, the judge
adjourned the matter till 2 pm for ruling.
No comments