The Department of State Security (DSS) have barred journalists and some court officials from gaining access to the courtroom as the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, resumed on Thursday.
DSS officials had set up a barricade at the entrance of the Federal High Court where the case is to be heard, thereby preventing journalists from gaining access to cover the court proceedings.
Nnamdi Kanu’s counsel, Alloy Ejimakor also told journalists that the lawyers who accompanied him were denied access.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case is scheduled to be called up by 9:00 am. Now, the time is way past 9:00 am now.
“They want to grab me and put me in the courtroom alone. I am not going into this courtroom alone. I am going in with this multitude of lawyers who have come to show solidarity. So I am standing outside here in protest.
“The lead counsel is on his way, these lawyers with me have come to show solidarity and support and they are being prevented from going into the court. This is wrong,” Ejimakor said.
Nnamdi Kanu is facing charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony charges brought against him by the federal government.
The government had on Monday, filed seven amended charges bordering on treasonable felony and acts of terrorism against Kanu.
Subsequently, the trial judge fixed Monday, October 21, for hearing and insisted that the trial will not go on in his absence.
