The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a strong warning that it will no longer tolerate any delays in the ongoing trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, noted that the trial has been dragging on for nearly 10 years. He has now scheduled six specific dates for the Federal Government, which is prosecuting Kanu on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony, to conclude its case.
The trial was reassigned to Justice Omotosho after the previous judge, Binta Nyako, who was the fourth judge to oversee the matter, recused herself due to allegations of bias by Kanu.
At Thursday’s resumed proceedings, Kanu’s legal team, led by former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, concluded the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, identified only as PW-2. This witness, an operative from the Department of State Services (DSS), testified under a protective shield, with his identity kept confidential for security reasons.
During re-examination, the witness reaffirmed that the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which Kanu allegedly established as the armed wing of IPOB, is an illegal entity without legal authorization.
Responding to questions from the Federal Government’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awolowo, SAN, the witness also clarified that while the DSS considers the ESN unlawful, it acknowledges the legitimacy of Amotekun, the regional security outfit in the South West.
The operative explained that Amotekun, despite its members being armed, was formed with the backing of the Houses of Assembly from the six South West states.
