Dare Babalola
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he does not trust the judge presiding over his trial, Justice James Omotosho, claiming the court is biased and cannot deliver a fair judgment.
This comes as the court prepares to deliver his judgment on Thursday (today).
The judge had ruled and dismissed three fresh motions filed by Kanu after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.
As the judge moved to deliver the ruling, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he was yet to file his final written address.
Justice Omotoso ordered that Kanu be taken out of court after lashing out on him.
On his way out, the IPOB founder lost his cool, shouted at the judge, saying, “Any judgment you do in this court is rubbish, ask him where is the law, ask Omotoso where is the law?”
He was subsequently escorted out of the courtroom by security operatives, who he also warned not to touch him.
Earlier, Kanu filed a fresh court motion, contending that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
