PHOTOS: Drama as trial of Nnamdi Kanu, others resumes in Abuja

The trial of trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu began at Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday amidst very tight security.  Kanu, and three others, David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe, are facing charges of treasonable felony in a trial which has witnessed many twists and turns over allegation of bias against the judges. The trial before Justice Binta Nyako was adjourned on December 13 following Kanu and other defendants protest over decision of the court allowing shielding of witnesses. Despite heavy deployments of armed police officers and operatives of the State Security Service, Kanu’s trial on Tuesday was also not devoid of drama. On arrival in court, the IPOB leader had stubbornly refused the directive of Prison officials that he should go to the courtroom through an entrance usually used by judges. This resulted in altercations during which the IPOB leader used his handcuffed hands to repeatedly hit the warders who struggled to restrain him. And in compliance the court’s earlier ruling, screen-guards were used to shield the judge, defendant and witnesses from the rest of the court. Journalists have a hard time gaining entrance into the court promises. On the other hand, hundreds of Biafra agitators came to the court with well crafted placards to protest the trial of the hero.  FEMI IPAYE captured the drama in and outside of the court premises in these images.

Kanu arrives premises of Federal High Court, Abuja

The IPOB leader refused attempts by warders to take him through a private entrance

Court room locked to journalists, others as trial of Kanu and others began

Inside the court room: Witnesses, lawyers, judge and the defendants shielded from journalists and few others allowed inside the courtroom

Biafra agitators protest outside the court room