The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday barred Mrs. Favour Kanu, the wife of Prince Fineboy Kanu—who is the younger brother of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu—from attending three court sittings after she was caught livestreaming the proceedings on her Facebook page.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order after Mrs. Kanu admitted to the act and apologised to the court. The judge noted that her actions were serious enough to warrant contempt of court charges but chose instead to restrict her from future proceedings.
Kanu, the IPOB leader, is currently facing terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Despite her apology—and a separate one tendered on her behalf by Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN)—Justice Omotosho expressed deep concern over her conduct, especially since her phone had already been confiscated during a previous sitting for a similar infraction.
“I want to hear from her. Were you not the one that I took your phone?” the judge asked. “I did not give order to forfeit that phone. I don’t know if she might be a wife to my brother (Nnamdi Kanu),” he added.
Prince Fineboy Kanu, who was present in court, clarified that she is his wife.
Justice Omotosho warned against any conduct capable of disrupting the court proceedings and reassured all parties involved that justice would be served.
