Kanu’s Trial: SSS denies lawyers, journalists access to court

The State Security Service (SSS) has blocked all access to the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to prevent lawyers and journalists from attending the trial of separatist and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.
Other litigants who have court hearings scheduled for today are also not being allowed entry into the court by the SSS Peoples Gazette gathered on Thursday morning.
The secret police has denied Mr Kanu access to his lawyers and family since he was abducted and brought back to Nigeria by state operatives in Nairobi, Kenya, with many people questioning the legality of the manner in which he was rearrested.
Mr Kanu was initially charged for terrorism, however, in an amended charge sheet, the SSS said he was now being arraigned for calling President Muhammadu Buhari an idiot, a terrorist, and “embodiment of evil.”
Spokesman to the SSS, Peter Afunnaya did not respond to calls and messages from The Gazette seeking comments on the blockage of the courts.
More from Peoples Gazette

Enugu
Nnamdi Kanu: Abia, Enugu, Imo residents observe sit-at-home order
Residents in southeastern states of Abia, Enugu and Imo observed a sit-at-home order called by IPOB in solidarity with their leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Africa
Nigeria, other sub-Saharan nations’ economic recovery will be slowest: IMF
The IMF explained that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region’s economy is making a swift recovery difficult.

World
Ex-Japan’s justice minister gets 3 years’ jail term for vote buying
Mr Kawai was charged with distributing about 28.7 million yen ($251,600) to 100 local assembly members and supporters to buy votes for his wife.

Jos
Abscondment: NYSC extends service year of 10 corps members
Ten corps members in Plateau will have their service year extended to various periods for absenteeism and abscondment, the NYSC has said.

Anti-Corruption
Ex-NSITF boss Olojeme remanded in EFCC custody
Ms Olejeme is standing trial over alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

NationWide
Nigerian Railway suspends operations after bandits bombed Abuja-Kaduna train
Pictures circulated online show how explosives ripped through the windshield of one of the trains conveying passengers from Kaduna to Abuja.