Category: Featured

Nigeria has what it takes to attract and sustain Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), President Muhammadu Buhari told international investors in Paris, France yesterday.

He said his administration was widening the space for investment.

The Federal Government, Buhari said, plans to spend $1.5 trillion on infrastructure upgrade, grant tax holiday and facilitate stress-fee repatriation of profits to stimulate investors’ interest in the economy.

The President also said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) will liberalise the oil and gas sector and open it up for private sector-driven investments.

Besides the tax holiday, Buhari said investors in the sector will have access to interest-free credit facilities.

Unfolding the nation’s new economic outlook and security efforts of his administration in a remark at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum in Paris, the president said: “Recognising the importance of security to a nation’s risk profile, we re-assessed and updated our National Security Strategy in 2019.

“The implementation of this multi-sectoral strategy has contributed to the progress we have made in fighting insurgents and terrorists in the Northeast of the country.

“Working closely with international partners, we are firmly addressing the root causes of crimes, and taking measures to prevent and counter violent extremism.”

The President, who described Nigeria as the gateway for investments in Africa, urged investors to take advantage of the PIA and the country’s new drive for FDI.

Announcing some of the incentives in the PIA, he said: “In the oil and gas sector, I recently signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The legislation, which is expected to serve as a liberalising force in the industry, introduced incentives such as tax holidays, zero-interest loans, and easy repatriation of profits.

“Our plan is to increase Liquefied Natural Gas (NLG) exports and expand our domestic market. Partnerships in textile and leather processing, tourism, and health sectors are also areas we can explore.

“In the agricultural sector, through our Anchor Borrowers Programme, we provided loans and technical support to small holder farmers, leading to the expansion in the number of rice mills in Nigeria from 10 in 2014 to 40 today.

“The country has also increased the number of active fertiliser blending plants to more than forty-six, from fewer than five in 2014.  Similarly, we have set aside several million hectares of land for agriculture, and have embarked on the creation of Special Agriculture Processing Zones across the country.”

On FDI, he said Nigeria will open its doors to investors, which will be backed by the rule of law and practical security policies.

He said: “I am proud to reiterate our resolve to reduce and ultimately eliminate obstacles to access and retention of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“Our investment-friendly policies are backed by the rule of law, practical security policies and a resilient population.

“Let me finally stress that Nigeria is open for partnership and cooperation. I invite the French business community to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Africa’s largest economy.

“As our development partners, rest assured that we will stand together with you throughout our partnership journey to guarantee our mutual interest.

“As I said at the fifth edition of the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, investing in humanity is investing in our collective survival.

“With this in mind, we have incorporated the Public-Private Partnership model into our economic recovery plan, to attract private sector participation in the financing and operations of critical economic and social infrastructure.

“This measure is already helping to mitigate COVID-19 triggered capital flight and decline in grant and development financing.

“Once again, I sincerely appreciate the time taken by our friends and partners to be here today, and the confidence reposed in Nigeria as the gateway for investments in Africa.”

Unfolding plans to support investment drive with about $1.5 trillion investment in infrastructure, the President said: “Also, at the just concluded COP26 in Glasgow, I stressed the link between modern infrastructure and the overall economic development of a nation.

Read Also: Graft: Ndume urges Buhari to sign Unexplained Wealth Order

“Hence, the massive infrastructure expansion programme, we have been executing in various sectors since the beginning of this administration.  $1.5 trillion is the cumulative amount estimated to be spent within a period of ten years from 2015.

“So far, we have made significant investments in railways, seaports, roads, renewable energy, housing, and many others attractive to prospective investors. Institutions such as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the recently created Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria run as independent world class institutions to support and facilitate investments in the country.

“We have not only provided several opportunities for investment in the mining sector but we have also simplified the licensing processes.

“Extensive investments in transportation of raw materials, equipment and other mining elements by road and by rail have also been made.”

On the rationale behind the Fifth Generation (5G) Network approval, Buhari said: “To keep the progress in the digital economy, the fastest growing sector in Nigeria in both 2020 and 2021 on track, we recently approved the national policy on Fifth Generation (5G) network.

“Our ultimate goal is to leverage ICT platforms to spur further investments and create jobs, while diversifying support to other emerging sectors.

“Already, several foreign investors are taking advantage of our recent ranking as the leading start-up ecosystem in Africa.

“Over a week ago, I launched the e-Naira, the electronic version of our national currency. When fully operationalised, this innovation will increase participation in fin-tech within Nigeria, increase efficiency in the banking sector, and boost our capacity to combat illicit flow of funds.”

Speaking on the Franco-Nigeria relationship, Buhari thanked the diplomatic and business communities for their “sustained faith in Nigeria, confidence in our government, and significant contributions to our economic prospects.”

He went on: “France-Nigeria bilateral relations are currently at their best. Our administration has capitalised on the strong political and economic ties between both countries to deepen trade relations, retaining Nigeria as France’s biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Most recently in Glasgow and earlier in Riyadh, I stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the diverse challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If anything ever tested multilateralism, and signalled the poor state of international cooperation, it was the absence of a viable global plan for tackling the pandemic. However, with the emergence and efficacy of vaccines, the world anticipates a brighter future.

“For us in Nigeria, lessons drawn from the pandemic prompted us to redouble efforts to mitigate its socio-economic effects.

“Despite prevailing uncertainties, our equitable and sustainable reform initiatives resulted in substantial economic gains and steady recovery.”

French Minister for Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Franck Riester said over 100 French companies have been operating in Nigeria with about 10,000 jobs created.

Giving a list of what French investors and companies would want from Nigeria, Riester said: “Some conditions have to be met. French companies need your support which is a credible and stable business environment. They also seek smooth dialogue and infrastructural investment in transport and energy.

“They want a good foreign exchange system. We expect business to grow between the two countries. I am extremely pleased that this dialogue is bearing fruits.

“What we want is to build a new partnership. We are aware that Nigeria ia power hoyse in Africa.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama asked French investors to come up with more business initiatives in Nigeria.

He described Nigeria as the Africa’s investment-destination of choice.

The minister pleaded with France to help African countries on how to increase their drawing rights from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Onyeama said: “We have put some strategies in place to get us out of this challenging time. We appeal to France to look at Nigeria with confidence to come and invest in our country. Nigeria is going to be the new frontier of investment in Africa. In fact, Nigeria to Africa is the last frontier.

“We plead with France and others to look at how to help African countries to increase their drawing rights from the IMF and the World Bank.”

France-Nigeria Investment Council Chairman Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu said the forum was designed to look at how to fast-track economic development in Nigeria following challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has described the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s victory at the governorship election as voters’ parting gift to him.

The governor stated this in a broadcast yesterday in Aguleri, his home town.

Obiano hailed the women from Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area for allegedly rejecting N5,000 bribe from one of the political parties to vote against the APGA candidate.

He said: “Umu nnem, the outcome of this gubernatorial election presents hope and a new beginning for our dear state. For the second time in the last four years, Ndi Anambra boldly chose to stand on the side of positive history.

“Fellow citizens, this sweet victory belong to you. It belongs to that courageous woman in Ebenebe, who turned down the N5,000 bribe for her vote because she knew that though money could buy her temporary relief, but Anambra would be a better place, if she voted according to her conscience.”

Thanking the party’s chieftains, he also said: “My gratitude also goes to the Nigerian Police, the Army, the Navy and all the security agencies for providing a watertight security to ensure a peaceful election.”

 

Soludo: my victory by-product of 12 years’ relentless struggle

 

Soludo said yesterday that his victory is “a by-product” of 12 years of relentless political struggle.

He stated this in an acceptance speech after his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the poll.

“For 12 years since the massive clamour by the people of Anambra for us to serve them, we persevered to this divine moment.

“This is a divine journey, whose time has come. To God be all the glory and adoration,” the former Central Bank (CBN) governor stated.

He added: “God was behind my victory. With utmost humility and gratitude to God, I accept the results of the 2021 Anambra governorship election as declared by INEC.”

 

APGA postpones victory dance over sit-at-home

 

Despite the declaration of Soludo as the winner of the election, there’s no celebration of any sort in the state yet.

The reason, according to APGA chieftains, was because of the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Speaking with our correspondent yesterday, the Chairman of Soludo’s 24 Support Groups, Sir Jude Emecheta, said security situation in the state would not allow such celebration at this period.

For Chief Obi Ochije, the special Assistant to Obiano on Awka Community, the reason was the sit-at-home directive from IPOB.

 

Buhari congratulates governor-elect

 

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated the Anambra State governor-elect over his victory in the just-concluded governorship election.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari also commended all stakeholders, who played roles in the successful conduct of the election, especially the security agencies and INEC.

The President, who expressed eagerness to work with the new governor-elect in his soon-to-be-assumed role, urged him to work with other stakeholders to tackle the challenges facing the state and the Southeast region.

 

Anambra people have made excellent choice, says Ngige

 

Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige said he had no doubt that Anambra people have made an excellent choice by voting for the APGA candidate.

In a congratulatory message from his Media Office in Abuja, the minister said Prof. Soludo’s victory was well-deserved.

Ngige congratulated the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stating the people of the state have spoken.

 

Gbajabiamila lauds Soludo

 

Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated Soludo on his victory.

In a congratulatory letter, Gbajabiamila also congratulated the people of the state on the successful conduct of the election. The Speaker said with Soludo’s antecedents as an accomplished professional, he believed the Anambra governor-elect would bring his experience and expertise to bear.

Read Also: Secondus congratulates Soludo, commends INEC, others

Be magnanimous in victory, Fayemi tells winner

 

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday called on the APGA candidate Soludo to be magnanimous towards other contenders.

Fayemi, in a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said with the conclusion of the poll, the contestants should work together for the overall development of the state.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said democracy was the real winner at the Anambra election with the successful conduct of the process, saying the will of the people, which was expressed through the ballot box, has prevailed.

He expressed confidence that Ekiti State governorship election, which is the next in the series of elections to be conducted, will witness a peaceful and transparent organization as seen in Anambra.

 

Obi: support in-coming governor

 

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, in a statement, said: “I congratulate Prof. Soludo on winning the gubernatorial election.

“I thank Anambrarians, who braved all odds and came out to perform their civic duties. I urge them to support the in-coming governor through prayers and other legitimate means to see that Anambra returns to her former glory as the ‘Light of the Nation’,” he said.

 

Ozigbo, Ubah greet governor-elect

 

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the just concluded governorship election Mr. Valentine Ozigbo and his Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, have sent congratulatory message to the winner of the poll.

But Ozigbo, in his statement yesterday in Awka, was not happy with the role played by the INEC and the security operatives, who were brought for the election

Ozigbo said the election was fraught with a lot of short comings on the part of various government institutions

“I have just called Prof. Soludo and congratulated him on being declared the winner of the Anambra State governorship elections, 2021. I wished him well and prayed for his success.”

Ubah, in a statement in Abuja, said he would not challenge the results of the election in any court. He called on his supporters as well as other contestants in the election to support Soludo in the task of moving the state forward.

 

Ohanaeze hails winner, President, INEC

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has congratulated Soludo on his “well-deserved victory” as the governor-elect.

The organisation also hailed President Buhari and the INEC for transparency, non-interference and upholding the will of the good people of Anambra State.

Olawepo-Hashim: president created atmosphere for victory

An APC chieftain Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said the emergence of Soludo as the governor-elect should be credited to President Buhari’s administration.

He noted: “A lot of credit must also go to President Muhammadu Buhari, who has created the atmosphere for non-interference in INEC’s conduct of increasingly more transparent elections since his second term mandate.”

The 2019 presidential candidate, in a statement, maintained that the victory also belongs to Anambra State and Nigeria.

“Our dear country Nigeria is the biggest winner. Glory to God as the country has again proved prophets of doom wrong,” he said.

Olawepo-Hashim enjoined the former CBN governor, to “as soon as he is sworn in, hit the ground running to deliver on his campaign promises”.

 

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Bianca Ojukwu lauds Anambra people

The Biafran leader’s wife, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, has lauded the Anambra people for keeping faith with her husband’s legacy by voting the APGA’s candidate.

Bianca, who had on the eve of the election invoked the spirit of her late husband to lead APGA into victory, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, hailing residents for making it violence-free.

She said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, thanking party supporters and the Anambra residents for their support.

There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday as lawyers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, were locked out of the courtroom

Justice Binta Nyako expressed displeasure at the lawyers’ decision to walk out before the proceedings began, but the legal team said they were rather denied access.

They accused the judge of bias for conducting yesterday’s proceedings without them and threatened to report Nigeria to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

Justice Nyako refused the prosecution’s prayer to consider Kanu’s application abandoned over his lawyers’ absence.

Armed security operatives, drawn from the State Security Service (SSS) and the police, stormed the court premises as early as 6 am.

They screened everybody, denying some lawyers in the defence team access to the courtroom.

Before the commencement of proceedings, some lawyers in the defence team, who were inside the courtroom, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, walked out in protest against the refusal of the security agents to allow their team members, including a foreigner, into the courtroom.

When proceedings commenced a little after 10 am, Kanu, who was brought into the courtroom around 9:52am, complained that security agents denied some of his lawyers, particularly Bruce Fein, from the United States, access to the courtroom.

He told the court that Fein, who he said was handling a case for him in the US, was around to witness his trial.

Kanu said: “I have an ongoing case in the US. I have not been allowed to see him. He is here to see me and to observe the proceedings.

“He has been to the DSS to see me, but they denied him access to me,” Kanu said.

At that point, the judge asked Kanu if he would conduct his case in the absence of his lawyers, to which he said no.

Lead prosecuting lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecution, urged the court to proceed with the trial in the absence of Kanu’s lawyers.

Abubakar contended that since Kanu’s lead counsel, Ejiofor, who was earlier granted access into the courtroom, walked out with his team shortly before the commencement of proceedings, they should blame themselves.

He noted that ordinarily, the case was fixed for the hearing of an application filed by the defendant, adding that since the defence lawyers were absent, the court should deem the application abandoned.

Ruling, Justice Nyako frowned at the conduct of Kanu’s lawyers.

She, however, rejected the prosecution’s application to deem the defence’s pending application abandoned.

“Staging a walk out on the court is a very serious offence. I will not dismiss the applications. Let them be in the case file,” she said.

Turning to Kanu in the dock, the judge said: “Discuss with your lawyers, so that their attitude can change.”

On the defence’s complaint that Fein was denied access into the courtroom, the judge said individuals seeking to attend Kanu’s trial must write her court for consideration.

Another foreigner, who claimed to be from the British High Commission, said she was in court to witness proceedings.

She said she had the consent of the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, to attend the proceedings.

Justice Nyako said: “If you need to observe proceedings in my court, you must apply to me. But for the high respect I have for my Chief Judge, I will allow you for today.”

The judge then adjourned further proceedings in the case till January 19 and 20 next year.

Read Also: BREAKING: Court adjourns Kanu’s trial to Jan 19 as lawyers walk out

 

Ejiofor: We were locked out

Speaking with reporters after the proceedings, Ejiofor accused the judge of taking sides with the Nigerian government by conducting proceedings in their absence.

“It is now clear that the honourable trial judge is part of the prosecuting team. She will have to recuse herself,” he said.

Ejiofor described as strange, the decision by the judge to conduct proceedings while they were not in court.

He said over 50 lawyers, who were with them in solidarity and also part of their team, came to the court.

He, however, said though about eight of them, including his client’s American lawyer, had planned to enter the court, the security officers insisted only five would gain access.

“We are more than seven or eight of us here. We have people representing several groups in here who are lawyers.

“We have Nnamdi Kanu’s attorney from the US here also,” he said.

Ejiofor explained that while they were trying to sort out the issue with the DSS officers, the judge came in “and locked us out, all of us.”

He said Justice Nyako should have tried to inquire from the defence lawyers what really transpired.

“The attention was called to this that we are outside the court protesting about what they are doing to lawyers; they couldn’t allow us in,” he said.

He, however, said what transpired in court were yet to be made known to them before the court adjourned the matter.

“I don’t think we are going to continue with this court. Most likely, we are going to take it up from there.

“By virtue of what transpired today (yesterday), I don’t think we still have the confidence in the ability of the court to deliver justice in this case,” he said.

Fein, who is Kanu’s foreign lawyer, said it was disheartening that this would be the fifth he would be denied access into the courtroom to observe proceedings.

He threatened to drag Nigeria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged gross violation of his client’s rights.

“Today (yesterday) was the fifth time I was told I could not enter the courtroom despite the court’s previous order that Nnamdi could have access to any three persons he wants to.

“I had the chance to talk briefly to him on my way to the courtroom. It is clear that I am the target in particular. That’s the reason why this proceeding did not transpire today.

“And I’m here to tell Nigerians and the international community that I’m taking this to international tribunals. It is clear that the Nigerian tribunals are compromised.”

The lawyer said he will petition “the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in Geneva, the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the ICC in the Hague…”

He added: “I’ll be going to the United States Congress and urging that sanctions be considered against Nigeria for gross violations of fundamental human rights.

“I’m here not to be an irritant but there are huge international law issues that are present in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.

“I’m here because I’m an international expert to provide more enlightenment on what legal issues are present here.”

Lagos State government said two more bodies were removed from the rubble of the collapsed 21-storey building under construction in Ikoyi.

This takes the number of dead persons to 45.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso said the number of families that have submitted samples to identify bodies of the victims at the IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, has increased to 32 from 29.

In cases where identification is clear and there are no arguments, he said, the bodies will be released to the families.

“A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has begun work. It comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice,” he said.

Read Also: Collapsed building: Lagos conducts DNA test to identify victims

Omotoso, however, denied rumours that the other two high-rise buildings in the compound have been marked for demolition.

“Contrary to speculations, no directive has been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey collapsed building in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“The Panel of Inquiry instituted into the collapse of the building has continued to sit and an integrity test on the two buildings is yet to be conducted on the two buildings. It is, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings will be demolished,” he said

According to him, the operation at the site of the collapsed building continues. Vehicular movement around the site, he said, has been smooth, following the reopening of the road.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has said the Federal Government was not ruling out the possibility of a political solution to the cases involving Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra. (IPOB) and Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho).

Malami said although no such proposal was currently before the Federal Government, the government would consider it if any body or group comes up with such a proposal.

“Well, as far as securities situation is concerned, as far as governance is concerned, and administration, you cannot rule out all possibilities.

“But crime is a crime. When there are criminal under tones associated with certain conduct, you cannot take away the right of the government to take steps with particular regard to ensuring that the people that are in one way or the other operating in breach are brought to book,” Malami said.

Malami, who spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, said the issue of pardon was not limited to repentant Boko Haram members but could be extended to deserving cases.

Read Also: IPOB: Judge frowns at Kanu’s lawyers for staging walk out

“Generally speaking, that is why I am telling you that no possibility is ruled out. But then there has to be an approach for the government to consider.

“So, I cannot be pre-emptive in telling you clearly and outrightly that reconciliation perhaps is being considered without an approach to be made.

“It is the approach to be made. If at all any is made that we will look into for the purpose of looking at its weight, the authenticity of it, the good fate associated with it, and then perhaps bring about the considerable factors related to the negotiations or otherwise.

“So it is not a conclusion that one can outrightly make without juxtaposing associated facts relating to the reconciliation.

“You cannot operate a conciliatory approach in the blues. It is never one sided. There has to be an approach and then a counter concentration.

“So, no approach in that respect is on the table for consideration yet. So we will cross the bridge when eventually we get to that; when a perhaps a type of request is made, we will consider it,” Malami said.

On why the Mambila Power Project was still being held down, Malami said the remaining obstacle to the project has been removed.

He said the arbitration commenced against Nigeria by Sunrise Power Transmission Company of Nigeria Ltd has been discontinued.

Hundreds of commercial motorcyclists took to the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city on Wednesday to protest the death of one of their members who was allegedly hit with a charm by a suspected member of the Oyo state Park Management System (PMS).

The deceased, Damilare Ojo, was said to have engaged in a heated argument with the PMS men for refusing to pay for ticket, a situation which later led to fisticuffs between them.

An eyewitness, Owolabi Abiodun, said the deceased was hit allegedly with charm and he died immediately on the spot.

Another source hinted that the incident happened at the Queen Cinema area of Ibadan where the park managers and the motorcyclist engaged in a hot argument over issues bordering on ticket and collection of illegal fees by the park managers.

The incident led to an uproar in the axis while motorcyclists, who gathered at the scene, carried the remains of the deceased to the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Secretariat.

Read Also: Sit-at-home: Hoodlums raze car, two motorcycles in Abakaliki

The protesting motorcyclists, who occupied the main gate of the Secretariat in Agodi, obstructed vehicular movement, causing heavy traffic congestion for several hours in the area.

It was gathered that three members of the park managers system have been arrested by men of the Oyo State Police Command.

A combined team of mobile policemen and men of the state security outfit, known as Operation Bust, prevented the protesters from gaining access into the Secretariat.

A cross section of motorcyclists, who spoke with journalists decried the excesses of the park managers while appealing to the State Government to call them to order.

Reacting to the incident, the Executive Assistant to Governor Makinde on Security, Sunday Odukoya, said he was informed the motorcyclist was beaten with charms, stating that investigation has commenced into the incident.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday expressed displeasure at the decision by defence lawyers in the trial of the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice Nyako however declined the request by the prosecution to deem Kanu’s application abandoned, his lawyers having decided to boycott proceedings.

As it has become the practice in recent time, armed security operatives, drawn from the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) flooded the Federal High Court premises as early as 6am.

They screened everybody and decided who accessed the court, thereby denying some lawyers in the defence team access into the courtroom.

Before the commencement of proceedings, some lawyers in the defence team, who were inside the courtroom, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, staged a walk out in protest against the refusal of the security agents to allow others in the team, including a foreigner, into the courtroom.

When proceedings commenced a little after 10 am, Kanu, who was brought into the courtroom around 9:52am, complained that security agents prevented some of his lawyers, particularly Bruce Fein from the United States access into the court room.

Read Also: VIDEO: Nnamdi Kanu in courtroom drama with security agents

He told the court that Fein, who he said was handling a case for him in the US, was around to witness his trial.

Kanu said: “I have an ongoing case in the US. I have not been allowed to see him. He is here to see me and to observe the proceedings.

“He has been to the DSS to see me but they denied him access to me,” Kanu said.

At that point, the judge as Kanu if he would conduct his case in the absence of his lawyers, to which he said no.

But, lead prosecuting lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecution, urged the court to proceed with the trial in the absence of Kanu’s lawyers.

Abubakar contended that since Kanu’s lead lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who was earlier granted access into the courtroom, walked out with his team shortly before the commencement of proceedings, they should blame themselves.

He noted that ordinarily, the case was fixed for the hearing of an application filed by the defendant, adding that since the defence lawyers were absent, the court should deem the application abandoned.

Ruling, Justice Nyako frowned at the conduct of Kanu’s lawyers.

The judge rejected the prosecution’s application to deem the defence’s pending application abandoned.

“Staging a walkout on the court is a very serious offence. I will not dismiss the applications. Let them be in the case file,” she said.

Turning to Kanu in the dock, the judge said: “But, discuss with your lawyers, so that their attitude can change.”

On the defence’s complaint that Fein was denied access into the courtroom, the judge said individuals seeking to attend Kanu’s trial must write her court for consideration.

Another foreigner, who claimed to be from the British High Commission, said she was in court to witness proceedings and got the consent of the court’s Chief Judge, to whom her office has written.

Justice Nyako said said it was wrong for the white lady to have written the court’s Chief Judge said.

She said: “If you need to observe proceedings in my court, you must apply to me. But for the high respect I have for my Chief Judge, I will allow you for today.”

The judge then adjourned further proceedings in the case till January 19 and 20 next year.

While speaking after the court proceedings, Ejiofor accused the judge of taking sides with the Nigerian government by conducting proceedings in their absence.

“It is now clear that the Honourable trial judge (Mrs Nyako) part of the prosecuting team. She will have to recuse herself,” he said.

Ejiofor described as strange, the decision by the judge to conduct proceedings while they were not in court.