The Federal Government has revealed why the lawyers representing the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, were absent in court.
The Counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, told Justice Binta Nyako, that Kanu’s team of lawyers led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, staged a walkout because some of the lawyers, including the American lawyer, Bruce Fein, were denied access into the courtroom.
According to NAN, Abubakar, who announced an appearance on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, made this known, following the non-appearance of any lawyer on behalf of Kanu behalf shortly after the case was called up on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
Speaking during the court session, Nnamdi Kanu informed the court that in the previous sitting, his foreign lawyer, Fein, was also denied access.
Justice Binta Nyako then adjourned the matter until January 19 and January 20 for the continuation of the trial.
In case you missed it
- Recall that Nairametrics had earlier reported that traditional leaders from the eastern part of the country including the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, were barred from the court premises by officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), following the planned arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu, before Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja division of the Federal High court.
- Heavy security presence was visible around the court premises as officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) barricaded the entrance of the court premises. Commuters have also had to trek a distance in order to be able to access their businesses around the area because of the restriction of movement by security personnel.
- Kanu, who was taken into the courtroom at 9:52 a.m., confronted security operatives over their refusal to allow several members of his legal team, particularly his lawyer from the United States of America, Bruce Fein, to join the courtroom.
- Mr Kanu noted that Mr. Fein, who is handling a case for him in the US, was around to witness his trial.
- Asked by the Judge, if he was ready to conduct the proceedings himself, in the absence of his counsel, Mr Kanu replied in the negative.
- In a short ruling, though Justice Nyako expressed her displeasure over the conduct of Mr Kanu’s lawyers, she declined to dismiss the pending application.
Why some people were restricted from entering the courtroom.what are reasons behind that.& it`s quiet appalling the way some cases were handled in this country. Barred people from accessing courtroom does not make u a good judge or security personnel.
Help me ask chief judge nyako&security operatives make courtroom accessible for ohanaeze delegates& lawyers.denied people access into the courtroom does not solve the problem.
It just a shameful thing a country like this won’t allow a defense lawyer to be with his clinet , am really tired of this nonsense.