Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has taken a swipe at Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following a viral video that captured him yelling at a lawyer in court.
Reacting to the footage, Ahmad condemned Kanu’s conduct, calling him arrogant.
He wrote, “Nnamdi Kanu’s arrogance is on full display here. It seems he has no respect for others, especially his subordinates. Tapping a grown man aggressively like that and yelling at him, who does he think he is that no one should talk while he is talking? Kanu should know that respect is earned, not forced!”
In another tweet, Ahmad doubled down on his criticism, describing Kanu as “rude” and “arrogant.”
“Nnamdi Kanu is rude and arrogant. Tapping a grown man aggressively and yelling at him like that. Who does he think he is that no one should talk while he is talking? I blame that lawyer,” he added.
The courtroom video shows Kanu vehemently arguing about Nigerian laws, insisting, “Listen, this is the law of Nigeria. The prosecution and this court don’t know the law, that’s the fact. Poor knowledge of the law is killing Nigeria.
“This is a federally gazetted law of Nigeria, and the Chief Judge cannot tell Mr Nyako what to do. It’s your law; just obey it! That’s why I do what I do.
“I agitate for Biafra, it’s my right! They turned it from a charge of criminal felony to terrorism.”
At one point, Kanu, visibly frustrated, shouted at a lawyer:
“Stop talking when I’m talking!”
Recall that Kanu had challenged Justice Binta Nyako’s jurisdiction to preside over his terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Expressing a lack of confidence in her handling of the case, he requested her recusal, a request that was granted.
Following this, the case was reassigned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for further reassignment.
However, despite Kanu’s objections, Justice Nyako adjourned the matter indefinitely.
