Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday adjourned till January 19 and 20, 2022, the trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu which was done in the absence of the defendant’s lawyers.
The courtroom today withnessed a great number of confusion as the DSS Operatives refused some members of Kanu’s Lawyers from entering the courtroom.
Kanu, who was brought into the courtroom around 9.52am, had shortly after his case was called up bemoaned the refusal of security agents to allow some members of his legal team, especially his lawyer from the United State of America, Bruce Fein, to enter the courtroom.
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He told Justice Nyako that Fein, who was handling a case for him in the US, was around to witness his trial.
“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,” Kanu stated from the dock.
When asked by the Judge, if he was ready to conduct the proceedings himself, in the absence of his lawyers, Kanu said no.
Meanwhile, counsel for the Federal Government and Director of Public Prosecution, M. D. Abubakar, urged the court to proceed with the trial in the absence of Kanu’s lawyers.
He told the court that the matter was fixed for the hearing of an application that was filed by the defendant.
Abubakar argued that since Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who was initially inside the courtroom, walked out with his team shortly before the arrival of the judge, his pending application should be deemed abandoned.
Whereas, Kanu lead counsel while speaking to the press, had explained that his fellow colleagues were prevented access to the courtroom and he barely went to assist them gain entrance to the courtroom. On his return, he discovered that the courtroom had been locked from inside and they could no longer gain access into the courtroom.
Also, outside the court premises, some delegates, council of traditional rulers, Pressmen and lawyers were also not allowed access into the court premises by the DSS.
Delivering a short ruling, Justice Nyako expressed displeasure over the conduct of Kanu’s lawyers.
She declined to dismiss the pending application and rather adjourned the case till January 19 and 20, 2022, for trial.
Speaking to the Press, Bar Ifeanyi, Bar Nnaemeka Ejiofor and others who spoke to the press had explained their anger over the procedings today. Explaining further, they had stated that the Counsel to the Federal Government were allowed to go into the Courtroom with over 8 lawyers whereas they were allowed to go with lesser, who were thoroughly searched at every point. They also added that despite the lesser that were allowed, yet, they refused all that they selected to enter the courtroom which had created great confusion.
