Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: It Is Wrong To Harass And Deny Counsel And The Public Access To Court — NBA

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has described as ‘despicable’ the act of Security Agencies barring lawyers and members of the public from the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, who is charged with treasonable felony and terrorism, was hauled to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, October 21, 2021, amid tight security.

The failure of the DSS to produce the IPOB leader at the scheduled proceedings on July 26 attracted condemnation by his lawyers and Igbo leaders.

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, as early as 4 am, there were indications that Kanu would be brought to court as security agents consisting of the police, soldiers, and Department of State Services operatives were deployed around the premises.

Journalists, lawyers, and staff of the FHC who started arriving at the court as early as 6 am were barred by the security agents, who said they were acting on the order of the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako.

In reaction, the NBA through its National Publicity Secretary, Raphulu Nduka, slammed security agents for barring lawyers from entering the court

“This is despicable. A court is a public place and in fact a lawyer’s main place of business.” Nduka said

According to Nduka, Security personnels are subject to the law. He questioned why it is so difficult for them (the security personnel) to comprehend human rights respect. He added that harassing lawyers or even members of the public who seek access to the courts is unethical.

He said, “Security operatives are not above the law. Why is it difficult for security agencies to understand respect for human rights? It is wrong for lawyers and even members of the public to be harassed because they seek to gain access into the courts.”