The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Government to always serve Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu with documents and materials intended to be submitted as exhibits before they are tendered in court.
Justice James Omotosho said such documents and materials must be front loaded and be made available to the defendant as required by law so as not to catch him unawares in the defense of terrorism charges filed against him.
The judge issued the order on Tuesday during the resumption of Kanu’s trial on terrorism charges.
Issues arose when the second prosecution witness (PW2), codenamed as PWBBB, testified that he was assigned by the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate Kanu.
He described Kanu as the operator of Radio Biafra and the founder of the Eastern Security Network.
However, attempts by the Federal Government through its lawyer, Adegnoyega Awomolo, SAN, to tender a letter authorising the witness’ investigation was opposed by Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, on the ground that the document was not frontloaded as required by law.
The prosecution later withdrew the document, and the court granted the withdrawal.
The trial also saw disagreements over the admissibility of a video evidence presented by the defence which Kanu himself opposed.
The court ordered that all materials intended for trial must be served in advance and listed properly, stressing that no document would be admitted unless previously disclosed to the defence.
Earlier during the continued cross-examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1) codenamed PWAAA, he admitted not being aware that several terrorism charges against Kanu had been struck out by the same court.
The witness who is an operative of the Department of the State Service, DSS, also admitted not having knowledge of the current status of many of the original 15-count charges.
Re-examined by lead prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the witness stated that Kanu’s activities amounted to agitation for the secession of parts of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the trial continues on May 7th.
