Lawyers Stage Walk-Out As IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu Addresses Court
- Lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra staged a walk-out at the court on Wednesday, November 10
- The lawyers protested the access denied to some of their colleagues by operatives of the Department of State Services
- Following that, the court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter to January 19, 2022
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The trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been adjourned to Wednesday, January 19, 2022, by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Kanu's trial was adjourned by the judge presiding over the matter, Justice Binta Nyako, after the lawyers representing the IPOB staged a walk-out over the refusal of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to access the courtroom.
Vanguard reports that Kanu was brought into the courtroom at about 9.52 am on Wednesday, November 9, by operatives of the DSS.
Source: UGC
Punch also reports that shortly after his arrival, some of his lawyers were said to have been locked up outside the courtroom especially his counsel from the United States of America, Bruce Fein.
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Speaking for himself, the IPOB leader told the court that key players in his team of lawyers including Fein were locked outside the courtroom.
Kanu said:
“I have an ongoing case in the US. I have not been allowed to see him. He is here to see me and to observe the proceedings.
“He has been to the DSS to see me, but they denied him access to me."
After the address by the IPOB leader, Justice Nyako asked Kanu if he was ready to conduct the proceedings by himself in the absence of his lawyers and Kano said no.
DSS alleges a staged walk-out by legal representatives of Kanu
Reacting to the claim, the counsel to DSS, M.D Abubakar urged the court to continue with its proceedings in the absence of Kanu's legal representatives.
Abubakar, who is the director of public prosecution the matter was already fixed for hearing of an application that was filed by the defendant.
He submitted that the lead counsel for Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who was inside the courtroom previously had walked out before the arrival of the court.
Abubakar further noted that Kanu's pending application should be deemed abandoned following Ejiofor's walk-out.
The court makes a final decision on the staged walk-out
Further ruling on the matter, Justice Nyako expressed her displeasure over the conduct of Kanu’s lawyers.
She, however, declined the request by the DSS to dismiss the pending application and rather adjourned the case till January 19 and 20, 2022, for trial.
The arrival of Nnamdi Kanu amid tight security for court trials
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Kanu had arrived at the court amid tight security for his scheduled trial on Thursday, October 21.
The leader of the IPOB was brought into the courthouse by operatives of the DSS at about 8 am in the morning.
He was led into the court amid tight security led by officials of the DSS.
Source: Legit.ng
