Terrorism Charges: Federal High Court To Shift Venue Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court on Friday expressed the readiness of the court to change the venue of the trail of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The judge while sharing the reason for the desired change said it will prevent interruption of other pending cases before the court.

The federal government had filed terrorism charges against Kanu before Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court.

The case of Kanu sees followers of the agitator besiege the court premises, hence the need to heavy security presence.

Some times, security operatives prevent other lawyers from accessing the court premises during Kanu’s proceedings.

Tsoho while reacting to the issue said the court is working on finding solution to the issue.

The judge stated this when he hosted the newly elected executives of the Abuja Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association in his office.

He said, “Its not really the making of the court. It is something foisted on us, it is security arrangement that causes this problem. So, you find a situation where a trial is coming up involving an individual and a whole lot of communities leave their businesses to besiege the court.

“It is a worrisome development to all of us the courts, counsel and parties.

“Its not really the making of the court. It is something foisted on us, it is security arrangement that causes this problem. So, you find a situation where a trial is coming up involving an individual and a whole lot of communities leave their businesses to besieged the court.

“It is worrisome, but you can’t prevent them. So how to manage it has been challenging to us. We are even trying to think of some solutions. If you observed, for those who were here when the matter came up, but of course, the roads were free because the matter was shifted to late afternoon.

“What will ultimately happen is that, we are exploring the possibility of shifting the venue of the trial. That will be the best way out, otherwise, if the trial continues here, it will interfere with our business. We have 11 courts here but it is only one court that is trying Kanu.

“And anytime the case comes up, the other courts cannot function. It is really not a good development. But I can assure you that we have actually gone far in finding a solution to it.”