Restricting reporters at Kanu’s trial violates fair hearing – Amnesty

Civil society organisation, Amnesty International, has criticised Nigerian governments for placing a restriction on the number of reporters that can report the trial of the proscribed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja where Kanu is being charged with treason had authorised only 10 media outlets and barred others from covering the trial.

Responding, Amnesty International, on social media, on Monday, declared that the move is a restriction on access to information, stating that it also violates fair hearing.

It said, “Amnesty International condemns Nigerian authorities’ restriction of the number of journalists that can report the trial of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, which started today in Abuja.

“Selecting few journalists to cover the trial is a restriction on access to information and an attempt to deny people the right to know. It also violates all fair hearing guarantees.

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to respect the right to fair hearing and immediately lift the restriction and allow the media unhindered access to the court to do their job. This is yet another bizarre and unacceptable attack on the Nigerian media that must not stand.”