The leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday frustrated plans to arraign him and two of his associates before a federal High Court in Abuja.
He told Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before whom they were to be arraigned, that he doubted the judge’s ability to ensure fair trial in the case, prompting Justice Mohammed to withdraw from the case.
The judge, who was not averse to Kanu’s position, later directed the return of the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.
Kanu and his associates, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (identified as a Field Maintenance Engineer with MTN Nigeria Limited), were brought to court on Wednesday afternoon under heavy security provided by men of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
They were to be arraigned on six-count charge of treasonable felony, managing unlawful organization and illegal possession of firearms, among others, filed last Friday by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Shortly after the case was called, Kanu sought the court’s permission to address it, which the judge granted without objection from his lawyer, Vincent Obetta and the Director of Public prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Diri, who led prosecution team.
Kanu said he lacked confidence in the court, and that based on information available to him, he knew he will not receive fair trial before the court.
“I will not sacrifice the due process founded upon the principle of natural justice on the altar of speedy release from detention. In other words, I will rather remain in detention than to subject myself to a trial that I know amount to perversion of justice
“There have been several rulings delivered by competent courts of jurisdiction, which the DSS never respected.”
On ending his statement, the judge asked his lawyer if he (the lawyer) agreed with what his client said about the court. Obetta answered in the affirmative and proceeded to justify his client’s position by arguing that his client was at liberty to decide whether or not he has confidence in a court before which he was to stand trial.
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