Detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, has gone to court to challenge a decision of the Federal High Court that ordered that his trial should be done in secret.
He is praying the court to declare that the provisions of Order III of the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, were already the subject of Section 36 (4)(a) and (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and consequently, “they areotiose, inoperative and outrightly ultra vires.”
Kanu in the origination summons filed by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, also urged the court to declare it “invalid, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and its Chief Registrar are defendants in the suit which processes were obtained by journalists on Monday.
Recall that Justice Tsoho had released a new practice direction for the trial of terrorism cases before the court.
The judge had disclosed that the new practice direction was in the exercise of his constitutional powers as enshrined in Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Under the new arrangement, the court said media coverage of proceedings is strictly prohibited.
“Coverage of proceedings under these practice directions is strictly prohibited, save as may be directed by the court. A person who contravenes an order or direction made under these practices shall be deemed to have committed an offence contrary to Section 34(5) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended,” the document explained.