Heavy security presence at court as Nnamdi Kanu’s trial resumes; media coverage restricted

Security has been tightened around the Federal High Court on Monday ahead of the resumption of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu. Newsmen report that major entrances to the court were blocked.

As attorneys, litigants, and journalists attempted to obtain admission to the federal high court in Abuja, where the trial of the outlawed leader of IPOB is taking place, they were subjected to multiple security checks and frisking.

Only a few journalists were permitted inside the federal high court at the main entrance, as DSS operatives said they are under strict orders to limit the number of media who will be allowed to cover the court proceedings.

The security forces who have taken over the entire court premises once again barred journalists and lawyers access to the courtroom.

Journalists have already characterized the media restrictions as yet another attempt by the federal government to stifle freedom of information and silence the press.

Mr Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking the breakaway of a significant chunk of southern Nigeria, to form a Republic of Biafra.

He was first arrested by Nigerian authorities in 2015 on an 11-count charge bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.”

Kanu was intercepted on June 27 and was repatriated to Nigeria in a shadowy operation conducted by Nigerian security operatives in collaboration with international partners.

The Federal Government is expected to bring new charges against him on Monday and has promised to grant him a fair trial.