Lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra were locked out of the courtroom on Wednesday, November 10 while the Jude faced Nnamdi Kanu alone.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers pointed out 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.
The trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was adjourned to Wednesday, January 19, 2022, by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Vanguard reports that Kanu was brought into the courtroom at about 9.52 am on Wednesday, November 9, by operatives of the DSS.
Punch also reports that shortly after his arrival, some of his lawyers were said to have been locked out outside the courtroom especially his counsel from the United States of America, Bruce Fein.
Speaking for himself, the IPOB leader told the court that key players in his team of lawyers including Fein were locked outside the courtroom.
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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.
Further ruling on the matter, Justice Nyako reportedly 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
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.
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I’m not happy. The world should not be happy. The Judge LOCKED out Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers & refused us entry into the courtroom. She then arbitrarily adjourned the case to January 19, 2022. This is a travesty of justice. We will surely take urgent & decisive measures. pic.twitter.com/dVSUW8OLoK
— aloy ejimakor (@AloyEjimakor) November 10, 2021
