Kanu’s Brother Sparks Drama in Court, Alleges Ethnic Bias as Trial Tensions Rise
A moment of tension broke out at the Federal High Court in Abuja after a man identified as the brother of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was captured on video accusing the Yoruba ethnic group of bias against the Igbo.
The outburst, which circulated widely on social media on Thursday, added a fresh layer of controversy to a trial already marked by political and ethnic sensitivities.
In the short clip posted online, Kanu’s brother could be heard shouting that “Yoruba hate Igbo people… this is injustice,” as security operatives attempted to restore order in the courtroom premises. While the video has been widely shared, no mainstream outlet has yet published an official court transcript confirming the exact wording of the remark or the immediate circumstances that provoked it.
The scene unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tension surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial.
The IPOB leader, whose case has drawn sharp divisions across Nigeria’s regions, appeared in court as judges continued hearing arguments in a matter that has stretched for years. Recent reports from international news agencies noted that the court had given Kanu a final opportunity to defend himself before judgment is delivered.
Family members and supporters, who regularly attend his court sessions, have often complained about the restrictions they face and what they describe as a pattern of unfair treatment.
Thursday’s outburst appears to reflect a growing frustration within the camp that the judicial process has been influenced by ethnic sentiments — a claim that has not been supported by any official evidence but remains a recurring theme among some IPOB sympathisers.
Observers say the episode once again highlights how deeply the case has tapped into long-standing ethnic fault lines between Nigeria’s major groups.
The suggestion of Yoruba–Igbo bias has the potential to inflame public discourse at a sensitive moment, especially as the trial edges closer to a verdict.
Court officials did not comment on the incident, and security operatives moved quickly to de-escalate the situation. Proceedings continued afterward without further disruption.
The Federal High Court is expected to make further announcements on the timeline for concluding the case, even as discussions around fairness, political pressure and ethnic interpretation continue to dominate reactions from both supporters and critics.
