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| Justice Tsoho adjourns Nnamdi Kanu's trial. Slows down accelerated hearing |
Mr Justice John Tsoho may have backtracked from his earlier intention to give Nnamdi Kanu's trail over phantom terrorism and treasonable, accelerated hearing. Indications emerged today that Justice Tsoho widely believed by Biafrans to be playing according to the Nigerian government scripts, may have been asked to pause the trial as the Muhammadu Buhari-led government gauges the pulse of Biafrans.
Tsoho who arrived the court 30 minutes after Nnamdi Kanu, the Biafran leader was ushered into the courtroom, initially stood down the case, probably to get instructions from above.
The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of the Radio Biafra and Biafra Television, arrived at exactly 11am,with handcuffs tied round his hands.
On resumption of hearing the counsel to Kanu, Chucks Mmuoma (SAN), argued that his clients belongings such as clothes, money and international passport in the custody of DSS, which are not included in the evidence presented should be returned to him.
However, Justice Tsoho struck it out. Afterwards he adjourned the case to 19th of February contrary to his previous plan to hear the case on the 9 -11th of February.
Another issue argued was whether the trail should be public or secret. While Kanu's lawyer argued for an open trial, Nigerian government's lawyer was asking for a secret trial. This was however rejected by the judge. See details of court proceedings after pictures.
Details of court proceedings:
#Kanu is in court today, waiting for the trial to commence, sitting in the third row of the public gallery & flanked by Nigerian prisons officers.
#Kanu‘s trial is in court 4 of Abuja’s Federal High Court, a wood-panelled room w/high ceilings & plush red seats like in movie theatres.
#Kanu now standing in the dock with two other defendants.Nnamdi Kanu appeared in court on handcuff 9 Feb 2016
“Because of the nature of this case we filed an application for the protection of witnesses,” says state lawyer about #Kanu.
“My lord, the defendants are not facing terrorism charges,” says #Kanulawyer Chuks Muoma, warning against a “secret trial”.
“I want to operate very transparently with my face very visible to the court and members of the public,” says #Kanu lawyer.
#Kanu‘s lawyer Muoma is asking the judge for the prosecution to release items that may be used as evidence against his client.
#Kanu lawyer wants state to release property of the defendants including “$2,200 and NGN 87,000” belonging to #Kanu.
#Kanu‘s lawyer asks for the release of “international passports.” Officer sitting beside me charged w/monitoring #Kanu scoffs.
#Kanu‘s lawyer is working to keep the trial open to the public.
#Kanu lawyer: “When people are refused access to the court, I ask myself are the defendants actually condemned before they are heard?”.
State lawyer arguing against the release of evidence.
“He sneaked into the Federal Republic of Nigeria” says state lawyer about#Kanu, whose defense lawyer leaps up to make an objection.Nnamdi Kanu appeared in court on handcuff 9 Feb 2016
A lull in the #Kanu proceedings as the judge jots down notes.
So far today the #Kanu defense has asked for the release of $$ and intl passports, state is arguing otherwise.
#Kanu is also arguing for a “transparent trial” in response to an application brought by the state.
“He speaks the truth, that is the bitterness of it,” #Kanu‘s brother Prince told me before court started today.
We’re still waiting for the judge to give his ruling #Kanu.
Judge now giving his ruling on whether #Kanu‘s money and passports (Nigerian & British) can be released to him.
#Kanu judge appears to reject defense application to have $ and passports released.
“The application for the defense for the release of certain specified items is hereby refused,” says Justice John Tsoho #Kanu.
#Kanu defense lawyer is now arguing the point about the trial being open to all “subject to security screenings”.
“I wouldn’t say that the trial for now is in camera,” says #Kanu judge, “journalists are there…the eyes of the people are there”.
#Kanu judge says that the public should be allowed to attend the trial, but that a max capacity will be established.
“Matter is adjourned to 19 February 2016,” says #Kanu Judge John Tsoho.
“It is ordered that relations of the defendant and members of the public should be allowed to witness the trial,” says #Kanu judge.
Proceedings are adjourned, the judge has left.
Credit: Stephanie Findlay (AFP)
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