The allegation however degenarated into controversies as Chuks Muoma (SAN) counsel to Nnamdi Kanu opposed Diri’s version of the event that took place at the gate of the court.

Muoma pointed out that it was Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a member of the defence team who was involved in the altercations with operatives of DSS at the court premises.

He subsequently called Barrister Ejiofor to tell the court what really happened.

The lawyer told the court that he was called by members of Kanu’s family to come to the gate of the court following refusal of the DSS men positioned at the entrance to the court to let them in.

But he claimed that some operatives of DSS had threatened to kill him in the course of  his intervention.

“One of the DSS officials said he will kill me if I come out again and I draw the attention of the court to that. I only went to tell them to allow the family of the defendant to come in. Let it be on the record of the court that if anything happens to my life tomorrow, they should be held responsible,” said Ejiofor.

“This is the first time I am hearing that a lawyer is being threatened in the court premises. I have seen a lot of days in the Bar and I will not be part of the erosion of the majesty of the court. Once a lawyer is disrespected, nobody will be safe. If they don’t want to continue the case, let them say so,” Muoma said in support of his junior counsel.

Justice Tosho however lamented that the trial has witnessed a lot of distractions, with a lot of time being taken to talk about security and so on.

He added that if everybody is feeling unsafe, then angels may be invited to try the case. The Judge ruled that while the court will not go into trial over whether a threat has been or not, but the complainant made by the defence lawyer has been put on record.

Justice Tshoho consequently adjourned proceedings  for one hour to enable the defence counsel respond to the application that the witnesses against Kanu and his co accused should be allowed to testify behind a screen.

While opposing the application, Chief Muoma noted that the Court has ruled on the issue on 19 February when it refused government’s application for a secret trial.

He therefore said the court cannot rule on the same issue again and that the only remedy available to the prosecution counsel is to go on appeal.

Chief Muoma also posited that the defence counsel is not ready to prosecute the case.  He backed his claims up with the history of the case from when Kanu was first arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court on 19, October, 2015.

The senior lawyer noted that the Federal Government had so far disobeyed three court orders granting bail to the defendants.