As the trial of the leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, resumes on Monday, a former federal legislator who authored and co-sponsored the Terrorism Act Amendment Bill of 2013, Kayode Oladele, has called for a procedure which disallows those charged with terrorist acts from using the trials as a propaganda platform.

Kanu’s arrest from an unknown location and his extradition to Nigeria was announced on June 27 by the country’s Attorney General, Abubakar Malami.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IPOB leader was consequently arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, amidst tight security on June 29.

The case was subsequently adjourned till July 26.

Oladele, a former Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes in the 8th Assembly, however, canvassed the need for a closed trial of terrorists.

He advised the Federal Government to embrace secrecy in court terrorism trials, being the model used by several Western nations.

According to him, acts of terrorism are tantamount to acts of war.

The former lawmaker stated these in a five-page article entitled: “Terrosim Trials: An Overview of the Delicate Balance between National Security and Human Rights.”

The lawmaker said all terrorism trials anywhere in the world by their nature were always full of intricacies which involved several difficult legal issues bordering on procedure, conflict of laws including the protection of witnesses, issues of disclosure and the use of sensitive evidence during trials.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure a balancing between national security and fairness of proceedings at all stages through proper protection of human rights standards as an international law obligation by the state

The legal practitioner also advised the government to adopt secrecy in the process, maintaining that this had been the common practice globally.

He said: “Secrecy of terrorism trials, which is another common feature of terrorism trials globally, can be found in Nigerian law.

”Section 31(3) of the 2011 Act provides that the court may, on motion by or on behalf of the prosecuting agency, in the interest of public safety or order, exclude from proceedings instituted for any offence under this Act, any person other than the parties and their legal representatives.

“Surprisingly, the 2011 Terrorism Act did not create a separate court for the trial of terrorists.

” The jurisdiction is still vested in the Federal High Court which presumably is expected to use the same procedure used for the prosecution of other criminal cases in terrorism trials, a significant departure from what is obtainable in several other jurisdictions where in addition to secret trials, separate courts such as Military Tribunals are usually used for the trial of terrorism cases.”

He also quoted Section 30 of the 2011 Act as giving the Attorney- General of the Federation the general powers to institute and undertake criminal proceedings on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria even though he may “delegate his power to any agency charged with responsibility of terrorists investigation to institute criminal proceedings against any person in respect of offences categorised” in the Act, ” which he put forward as empowering the government to justify to mode of the proceedings. ”

“Realising that acts of terrorism are tantamount to acts of war, several Western nations including the United States and United Kingdom not only try most terrorism cases secretly by Special Tribunals, they also sometimes adopt special procedures in order to protect national security, public interest and also “achieve a high rate of conviction that would not be achievable in the regular courts, where “due process” is diligently pursued.

“In the trial of terrorists, therefore, the focus is mainly about “dispensing military justice attendant to a military conflict”, not necessarily (though important), the protection of the fundamental rights of the terrorists,” he said.

Almaigaa:
Any which way, the Supreme leader of Online Republic of BIAFRA, Nnamdi Kanu will spend the rest of his life in the ZOO PRISON

Dovegrey:
Cone-head your warlord is crying like baby in cotonou prison that should be ur headache.

Rugaria:
The day The Igbo man understands that Afonja is his biggest enemy is the day his troubles in One Nigeria will end.

kollinzgee:
Afonja are natural slaves,it is easier for southern Kaduna to gain freedom than afonja republic, Fulani will keep them for free sea access.

cybersoldiers:
The useless yorubanza has said his mind.

Yorubads don't hide their haterade for Igbo's.

MNK WILL COME OUT ALIVE, GOOD AND BETTER.

AFONJAZZ WILL CRY SOON.

Omoluabi1stborn:





So opinion of One man, is the Opinion of over 30M Yorubas

Yet you guy will be saying One man doesn't represent a tribe, no be so?
Whenever one Igbo leader yarn rubbish, Una go talk say that's his opinion not Ndigbo opinion.
You guy are worst, hypocrisy sinks in y'all head.


Let us also conclude this is the Opinion and view of Ndigbo world wide.

Dovegrey:


Hatred run in una blood vain.

Dovegrey:
Cone-head your warlord is crying like baby in cotonou prison that should be ur headache.

oluztx:
Coming from a Yoruba. When I warn you foolish Igbos and Biafrans supporting these people, you won't understand how these people hate you. While you are supporting their Igboho or while they are supporting their own freedom fighter Igboho in Benin Republic, they are plotting how to kill your own Kanu. I don't know how these yorubas reason at times. You see it here on Nairaland, they send Igboho news to front page in positive light but only send that of Nnamdi Kanu when only negative. They do this without any sense of human conscience and decency!

kollinzgee:
Afonja are natural slaves,it is easier for southern Kaduna to gain freedom than afonja republic, Fulani will keep them for free sea access.

Omoluabi1stborn:





So opinion of One man, is the Opinion of over 30M Yorubas

Yet you guy will be saying One man doesn't represent a tribe, no be so?
Whenever one Igbo leader yarn rubbish, Una go talk say that's his opinion not Ndigbo opinion.
You guy are worst, hypocrisy sinks in y'all head.


Let us also conclude this is the Opinion and view of Ndigbo world wide.

Almaigaa:
Any which way, the Supreme leader of Online Republic of BIAFRA, Nnamdi Kanu will spend the rest of his life in the ZOO PRISON