The Federal Government of Nigeria has opposed the request for live streaming of court proceedings in the ongoing trial of Biafra separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Representing the government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, objected to an appeal from Kanu’s family seeking to broadcast the court sessions live.
During the trial’s resumption on Wednesday, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, referenced a letter from Awomolo dated May 14, 2025, in which the federal government’s lawyer advised the court to prohibit the use of mobile phones within the courtroom.
Awomolo criticized Aloy Ejimakor, a member of Kanu’s legal team, for allegedly sharing false and inflammatory content about the case on social media. He claimed Ejimakor’s online posts were misleading, unprofessional, and potentially damaging to the judicial process.
“This is a serious matter that must not be reduced to a spectacle by any lawyer,” Awomolo asserted.
One of Ejimakor’s Facebook videos reportedly urged ‘Biafrans’ to resist what he termed the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.
Agabi, while addressing the court, condemned Ejimakor’s behavior, issued an apology on his behalf, and assured the judge that such actions would not happen again.
Justice James Omotosho expressed his disapproval of what he labeled as unethical conduct within Kanu’s legal team, accusing some members of being more interested in creating social media content than resolving the case. He warned that such behavior could lead to professional consequences, including potential disbarment.
The judge also criticized Ejimakor for posting the court-approved list of Kanu’s legal representatives on Facebook, emphasizing the importance of professionalism from all parties and urging restraint in social media commentary.
Justice Omotosho reminded the court that the case was being fast-tracked in the interest of justice, especially considering Kanu’s prolonged detention.
Following the preliminary matters, the trial proceeded with the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, identified as “BBB,” a Department of State Services (DSS) operative. Defence counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, led the cross-examination.
In response to questioning, the DSS agent confirmed that the agency reports to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and operates independently of the Attorney General. He further explained that the DSS gathers intelligence from a variety of sources, including human informants and social media, and that their operatives are trained to obtain necessary information effectively.