The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday barred Mrs. Favour Kanu, wife of Prince Fineboy Kanu — younger brother to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu — from attending three subsequent court proceedings after she was caught livestreaming the trial on her Facebook page.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, issued the directive after Mrs. Kanu admitted to the act and publicly apologised in court. The judge described her conduct as a clear violation of courtroom protocol, stressing that she would have faced a charge of contempt if not for her apology and the intervention of the defence counsel.
“This is a court of law, not a media platform. Recording or broadcasting court proceedings without permission is illegal and amounts to contempt. I would have charged her for contempt of court if not for her remorse,” the judge stated.
The court noted that this was not Mrs. Kanu’s first infraction. At a previous sitting, her mobile phone had been confiscated when she was caught recording the court’s proceedings. Despite this warning, she reportedly went ahead to publish footage of the trial online, prompting stern reprimand from the bench.
“I want to hear from her,” Justice Omotosho said. “Were you not the one whose phone I took during the last adjourned date? I did not give an order to forfeit that phone. I don’t even know if she might be a wife to my brother (Nnamdi Kanu).”
Despite apologies from both Mrs. Kanu and Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, who is representing Nnamdi Kanu in court, the judge held that such disregard for court rules could not be overlooked and must attract consequences to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings. He therefore ruled that she be banned from attending the next three sessions of the ongoing trial.
Justice Omotosho further cautioned all parties involved in the case against actions that could disrupt or delay proceedings, reiterating the court’s commitment to delivering justice in accordance with the law.
Nnamdi Kanu is facing trial on terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government, following his controversial arrest and extradition in 2021. His trial has drawn both national and international attention, with supporters often flocking to court premises to show solidarity.
The case continues to spark debate across the country, especially within pro-Biafra circles, but the court has consistently emphasized that due process must be followed.
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