Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has asked the legal team of the detained Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, to put its house in order and avoid incessant adjournments in the IPOB leader’s terrorism trial.
The judge said he granted accelerated hearing in the trial when he discovered in the case file that the trial had been on since 2015, a period of ten years without any headway.
The reaction of the judge followed the request for adjournment by Kanu’s counsel, Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, midway into Wednesday’s proceedings where the second witness of the Federal Government was to be cross examined on his evidence in chief.
Immediately Erokoro applied for the adjournment, it was vehemently opposed by the Federal Government lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on the ground that there was no cogent and verifiable reason for it since the witness was in court.
Erokoro, in seeking for adjournment, claimed that they have some video clips to be tendered in court.
But Awomolo argued against the request adding that the defense ought to have assembled whatever it wants since five days ago when the matter was slated for cross examination of the DSS witness and continuation of trial.
In his brief decision, Justice Omotosho held that he was inclined to grant the adjournment till May 22, 2025. He however warned against unjust delays of trial.
He said that the cross examination of the DSS operative must be put to an end unfailingly adding that it would not be fair for Kanu if the trial is to drag for another ten years.
Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed May 22 for definite conclusion of cross examination of the DSS witness adding that he would order the cross examination closed if the defense seeks to foot drag in the matter.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, three certified copies of judgments claimed to be in favour of Kanu – delivered by Abia State High Court, Federal High Court, Abia Division and another one by Ebonyi State High Court – were tendered and admitted as exhibits by the judge.
