Federal High Court soft-pedals on Nnamdi Kanus trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has backed down on the harsh restrictions set on the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The court authorities have halted the transfer of the case to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, in Abuja’s Jabi District, notwithstanding their ruling last month.

In addition, the Court’s authorities have allowed the media to witness the Federal Government’s treasonous felony allegations against the Biafra nation agitator.

At the time of writing, heavily armed Department of State Services (DSS) personnel were in complete command of the security situation both inside and outside the courthouse.

Journalists, attorneys, litigants, and laborers are all permitted entry.

Journalists, lawyers, litigants, as well as workers are being allowed into the court premises unhindered after formal introduction and presentation of identity cards.

The court had last month issued a Practice Direction which moved the trial to CCT believed to be large and spacious enough to accommodate the crowd that usually surged to witness the trial.

The Practice Direction endorsed by the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho had also prohibited media coverage except where expressly permitted.

However, DAILY POST Correspondent observed that the stringent conditions have been jettisoned.

Although, reasons for deviating from the Practice Direction have not been made known, it was gathered that Jabi Code of Conduct Tribunal was considered too porous for such a sensitive trial, especially from the security points.

Apart from unhindered access being granted to lawyers and media practitioners, roads leading to the court are not blocked, while food vendors are also having their businesses done without molestation.

However, adequate security measures are being observed to prevent security breaches.