Nnamdi Kanu’s trial: Commuters decry roads blockades as court adjourns case till Wednesday

By Matthew Tabe, Abuja

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned further proceedings in the case against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Wednesday.

The adjournment followed Kanu’s complaint that the Federal Government failed to promptly serve him the fresh 15 amended charges it brought before the court.

Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, further accused FG of denying him the necessary facility to defend the charge against him.

Ozekhome told the court that the amended charges were served on them barely 24 hours to the scheduled hearing.

“My Lord, the proposed amended charges were served on us yesterday (Monday) evening. As I speak to you my lord, the defendant, who was just brought in, has not even seen the charges which he is being told to enter his plea.

“With due respect, that is not justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, allows FG to amend, but this is the sixth amendment they are making, and each time they do it, they serve us a day to the hearing, just to frustrate the trial,” Ozekhome added.

Meanwhile, fully armed security personnel were seen around the court premises to avoid breakdown of laws by some people with criminal intention.

Most of the linked roads to the court were blocked by security personnel. From Maitama to Secretariat to the three Arms zone squared witnessed diversion of vehicles to other roads.

Also there was a demarcation on the expressway From the Federal Ministry of Finance leading to Banex Business hub towards another road within the metropolis.

A cross section of commuters who chatted with our correspondent lamented over the development, saying that the gridlock on major roads is affecting their businesses.

Speaking The Informant247 correspondent, Moses Ogozi said, “The blockage of these roads by the police has crippled our businesses in Maitama area as the major roads from Secretariat to that axis has been blocked.”

He called on the federal government to always provide alternative routes as the situation is becoming unbearable.

Also speaking, Hamisu Ibrahim, a taxi driver said, “I wasn’t aware of the whole situation and I’m coming from Area 11 going to Banex just to found myself in this traffic jams for almost two hours now.”