FG opposes live streaming of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial as tensions rise over social media posts
On Wednesday, May 21, the Federal Government of Nigeria officially opposed the request for live streaming of the court proceedings in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), marking a significant development in the ongoing case.
During the resumption of the trial, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, brought the attention of the court to a letter submitted by the Federal Government’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, in which he raised concerns about the case being broadcasted live. Awomolo argued that live streaming could compromise the seriousness of the case.
In the letter dated May 14, 2025, Awomolo also recommended a ban on phones in the courtroom. His reasoning stemmed from the actions of Aloy Ejimakor, a member of Kanu’s legal team, who had reportedly been posting misleading and inflammatory information on social media, particularly regarding the trial.
“The ongoing case is a serious matter that should not be trivialized by any lawyer from any of the parties,” Awomolo emphasized in the letter.
One of Ejimakor’s posts, shared on his Facebook page, called for ‘Biafrans’ to rise against what he described as Kanu’s persecution, sparking further controversy. Kanu Agabi swiftly condemned his colleague’s actions, issuing a formal apology and assuring the court that such behavior would not be repeated.
In response, Justice James Omotosho expressed his displeasure over what he deemed unprofessional conduct within Kanu’s legal team. He referred to Ejimakor and others involved in the social media posts as “mere content creators” whose actions were motivated by selfish interests, and warned that such behavior could potentially lead to disbarment.
“Ejimakor even had the audacity to post the approved list of counsel for Nnamdi Kanu on his Facebook page,” Justice Omotosho noted.
The judge admonished all parties involved in the case to act professionally, particularly those engaging with the case on social media, emphasizing the need for discipline and caution in online conduct.
Continuing with the trial, the cross-examination of PW2, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative codenamed BBB, resumed. Paul Erokoro, SAN, conducted the proceedings on behalf of the defense. During the examination, the witness confirmed that the DSS operates under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and is not influenced by political figures or ministers. Additionally, the witness clarified that while the DSS uses a variety of intelligence-gathering methods, including social media and human sources, their training enables them to gather information when necessary.
The trial proceeded with no immediate developments regarding the request for live streaming, but the issue remains at the heart of the ongoing legal battles.
