Rita Odafe
The Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited Mrs. Favour Kanu, the sister-in-law of Nnamdi Kanu, from attending the terrorism trial involving the Biafra activist.
This restriction was imposed on Thursday after it was revealed that she was live-streaming the court sessions on social media.
After ruling on a trial within a trial regarding Kanu’s claims of having made statements under pressure, Justice James Omotosho raised concerns about the unauthorized live streams from the courtroom.
The judge described this act as both subjudice and contemptuous, presenting photos as evidence of the unauthorized broadcasts.
Chaos erupted when the judge summoned Mrs. Favour Kanu to confirm whether she was responsible for the illegal streaming, to which she accepted.
Despite being warned multiple times to stop this conduct, Justice Omotosho ordered her removal from the courtroom, specifying that she could only return if she has an actual case before the court.
He subsequently enforced a ban preventing Mrs. Favour from the courtroom and its premises, unless she is involved in a case.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that moving forward, he would be sending individuals to Kuje Prison for contemptuous behavior.
In related matters, one of Kanu’s attorneys, Paul Erokoro, SAN, highlighted a report from a television network dated May 28, 2025, stating, ‘Court broadcasts video of Nnamdi Kanu examining a radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into the nation’.
Justice Omotosho confirmed that no such footage was aired in court that day and instructed Erokoro to address such matters through a formal application, remarking, “I intend to be sending people to Kuje from now on.”
