An Abuja division of the Federal High Court has on Wednesday adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to January 19 and 20, 2022.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Kanu’s counsel refused to enter the courtroom because one of his lawyers from the United States, Bruce Fein was not allowed to represent the IPOB leader.
Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter till January 19 and 20 for the continuation of trial.
When the matter was called up, Justice Nyako asked Kanu where his legal representatives were and he said they were outside because his legal counsel from the US was not allowed to represent him.
Justice Nyako said the walkout staged by Kanu’s counsel is an offence but she will not make any pronouncement on it. She then adjourned till January 19 and 20 for the continuation of the trial.
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Prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar prayed the court to dismiss pending applications filed before the court by the defence counsel.
Mr Abubakar said:
Having decided to stage a walk-out on the court, I urge My Lord to dismiss the defendant’s pending applications.
Justice Binta stated, before adjourning the case to January 19 and 20 for the continuation of trial:
Staging a walk-out on the court is a very serious offence. I will not dismiss the applications; let them be in the case file. But discuss with your lawyers so that their attitude can change.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, Ifeanyi Ejiofor said the court should have called the attention of Kanu’s counsel before coming to a decision.
Mr Ejiofor said:
I have not seen such a thing. Obviously, I don’t think that we are going to continue with this case.
It is now clear that the honourable trial judge (Mrs Nyako) is part of the prosecuting team. She will have to recuse herself.
The suit was adjourned to today for the hearing of a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to conduct the hearing on the 7-Count charge.