Chidi Samuel
Nnamdi Kanu, the self styled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) caused a stir in court on Tuesday as he accused President Muhammadu Buhari of lying and vowed that the president cannot intimidate him.
Kanu was reacting to a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, on Tuesday to allow the protection of witnesses in the ongoing trial of Mr. Kanu, and three others, who are facing trial for alleged treasonable felony.
According to Justice Nyako, “The counsels and the defendants will see the witnesses. The witnesses will have special entrances to and outside the court.’ The court also ruled that it would allow the witnesses to be shielded with screen-guards.
Reacting to the ruling, the IPOB leader said he cannot submit him self to secret trial and that President Buhari can only intimidate court judges, but not him.
“The president can intimidate the judges, but he cannot do that to me. Tell him he has lied,” said Mr. Kanu.
Chux Muoma, Kanu’s Lawyer rebuked his client for his behaviour and subsequently apologised to the court while stating that they were opposed to the ruling of the court.
Chuma’s intervention did not calm down kanu’s agitation as he continued with the other defendants to question Juatice Nyako’s ruling, in the process drawing the judge’s warning.
“If you don’t stop talking in my court I will assume you are becoming a nuisance in my court. And if I assume so, I will continue this trial in your absence, so do not try my patience,” Justice Nyako thundered.
“When you are in my court you will do what I want. It’s like having a visitor in your house; you can serve the visitor food but if he wants to eat he will eat and if he doesn’t want to, he will not.”
As the court went on recess, Kanu continued with his protest, ” I will address this court! You cannot be killing my people and tell me that you will make me have a secret trial. That won’t happen! The president can intimidate the judges, but he cannot do that to me. Tell him he has lied.”
The case will continue on Tuesday.