Favour Kanu, wife of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, barred from three court sessions for live-streaming trial; prosecution witness identifies Nnamdi Kanu as founder of Eastern Security Network

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Federal High Court in Abuja has barred Favour Kanu, the wife of Prince Fineboy Kanu, the younger brother of proscribed IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, from attending the next three court sessions.

Also read: Court throws out Nnamdi Kanu’s ₦50 billion rights suit

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Tuesday after Favour Kanu admitted to live-streaming the court proceedings on her Facebook page.

The judge stated that her action could have constituted contempt of court.

Despite apologies from Favour Kanu and her husband’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, Justice Omotosho maintained the three-sitting ban, expressing disbelief that she repeated the offense after her phone was previously seized for similar conduct.

During the proceedings, the federal government’s second prosecution witness, code-named BBB, testified that Nnamdi Kanu is the founder of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The witness made this statement under examination by the prosecution’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, in open court.

Justice Omotosho had previously granted the prosecution’s request to conceal the identities of witnesses for security reasons, given the serious terrorism charges against Nnamdi Kanu.

The trial resumed with BBB stating that he was assigned by the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate Kanu.

He further testified that his investigation revealed “the defendant is the operator of Radio Biafra and the founder of the Eastern Security Network.”

Efforts by the prosecution to tender a letter authorizing the witness’s investigation were opposed by the defense, citing a lack of prior service.

The prosecution subsequently withdrew the document. Similarly, the defense objected to the admissibility of video evidence tendered by the prosecution for the same reason.

Justice James Omotosho, addressing Favour Kanu’s action, stated that her live-streaming “could have amounted to contempt of court.”

The court ordered that all trial materials must be served on the defense in advance.

Earlier in the proceedings, a mild dispute arose over legal representation, with one Charles Udeh claiming to be part of the defense team, a claim denied by Nnamdi Kanu and his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi.

Justice Omotosho also addressed the overcrowded defense team, reiterating that only the previously approved number of 16 counsel would be permitted, threatening to move proceedings online if decorum was not maintained in the small courtroom.

The prosecution also informed the court of a motion for the release of previously tendered exhibits, which the court directed to be refiled with explicit identification of each item.

Under re-examination, prosecution witness AAA stated his understanding that Nnamdi Kanu’s agitation was driven by secessionist aims.

During cross-examination, the witness admitted limited knowledge of the specifics of the initial 15-count charge against Kanu, including those that had been struck out.