The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly opposed a request for live streaming of court proceedings in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The objection was raised on Wednesday by the government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, in response to a formal application by Kanu’s family seeking real-time broadcast of the trial. Awomolo submitted a letter dated May 14, 2025, urging the court to prohibit the use of mobile phones within the courtroom to prevent the dissemination of misleading information online.
Awomolo took issue with a member of Kanu’s legal team, Aloy Ejimakor, accusing him of publishing distorted and inflammatory content about the trial on social media. According to the senior lawyer, such actions risk undermining the integrity of the court and trivializing a matter of national importance.
“One of the defence lawyers, Ejimakor, has been posting misleading, embarrassing, and unpleasant commentaries online,” Awomolo stated. “The ongoing case is a serious matter and should not be turned into a social media spectacle.”
In one such post, Ejimakor was said to have called on “Biafrans” to rise against the alleged persecution of Kanu — a move condemned even by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, who offered an unreserved apology to the court and pledged that such misconduct would not recur.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, expressed deep displeasure at what he described as the unprofessional behavior of some members of Kanu’s legal team. He likened their conduct to that of “content creators” who, he said, seemed more interested in prolonging the trial than in pursuing justice.
The judge issued a stern warning to Ejimakor and others involved in social media commentary on the case, cautioning that continued misconduct could lead to sanctions, including possible disbarment.
“Ejimakor even had the audacity to post the court-approved list of defence counsel on Facebook,” Justice Omotosho noted, urging all parties to act responsibly both in court and online.
He also emphasized that the court had granted accelerated hearing in the matter, particularly in view of the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
Following the courtroom exchanges, the trial proceeded with the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness (PW2), a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified only by the code name “BBB.” The witness was cross-examined by Paul Erokoro, SAN, on behalf of the defence.
During questioning, the DSS operative stated that the agency operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and is not directed by the Attorney General of the Federation. He further disclosed that the DSS gathers intelligence through various means, including human sources and social media monitoring, and that its personnel are trained to obtain critical information as needed.
The trial is expected to continue as the court moves toward a resolution in the high-profile case.
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