http://www.whistleblowers.org.ng/blog/view/66/2017-January

The indigenous leader of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu has been put to trail in the early hours of this morning secretly in Abuja.

He was arrested by DSS sometime in October 2015 for charges of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organisation. Despite, several protests of the members of Biafra across the country on his behalf to seek for his release, the judiciary and the federal government have refused to grant him bail.

Kanu appeared in the court premises accompanied by escorts to begin his trial. He was conveyed to court with a Hilux van followed closely by prison officers behind.

Journalists were restricted from gaining access into the court room. However, some were allowed inside only due to having a Federal High Court tag, others lamented that they had requested for tags earlier on but were not given any.

Kanu including three other Biafra's, David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe were arraigned of committing an act of treason.

Justice Binta Nyako in her ruling in December 2016 said that witnesses would be allowed some degree of security.

“The counsels and the defendants will see the witnesses. The witnesses will have special entrances to and outside the court,” she said.

Also, she added that the witnesses will be allowed to be covered with screen-guards. Further saying that the court will conduct a two days rehearsal for the witnesses to arrive and depart from court.

The ruling was stressed, on Tuesday, with screen guards covering the judge, defendant and witnesses from the rest of the court.

Although, later journalists were granted access inside after Mr Obetta, Kanu's lawyer interceded on their behalf.

http://www.whistleblowers.org.ng/blog/view/66/2017-January