By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday ruled that judgment in the trial of the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will be delivered without the defendant present in court.
The decision followed what the judge described as Kanu’s unruly conduct during proceedings. Earlier in the day, Justice Omotosho ordered the IPOB leader out of the courtroom after he became disruptive midway through the hearing.
The court had been set to rule on three fresh motions filed by Kanu, which Justice Omotosho dismissed as lacking merit. As the judge moved to deliver the ruling—previously scheduled for November 20—Kanu objected, insisting the court could not proceed because he had not filed his final written address.
In a heated exchange, Kanu raised his voice, accusing the judge of bias and alleging that Justice Omotosho “did not know the law.” He was subsequently removed from the courtroom.
Proceedings continued in his absence, with the judge announcing that the final judgment would be delivered without him present.
