Judge Cautions Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyers Against Staging Walk-Out On Court

Before adjourning the case of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, trial judge, Binta Nyako expressed dissatisfaction at the absence of his lawyers when the proceedings began on Wednesday.

Before the proceedings started, Kanu’s main counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and others were in court and took shots with the IPOB leader and floated it on his official Facebook page.

But when the proceedings started, Kanu informed her that his lawyers were having an exchange with security operatives outside her court room.

He explained that his counsels were arguing with security officials for stopping Bruce Fein, his United States lawyer from entering into the court room.

But Mohammed Abubakar, the prosecution lawyer, seized the opportunity and urged the court to dismiss Kanu’s application, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction and the competency of the seven-count Terrorism charged instituted against him.

“Having decided to stage a walk-out on the court, I urge My Lord to dismiss the defendant’s pending applications,” Mr Abubakar said.

On her part, Justice Binta frowned at the behavior of Kanu’s lawyers.

She refused to dismissed Kanu’s application, but added that anyone that wants to access the court during Kanu’s high profile trial must write to her ahead of time.

“Staging a walkout 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,” the judge held and subsequently adjourned the case to January 19.

Reacting to the development, Ejiofor told newsmen that he doubts whether Kanu’s trial would be fair.

Mr Fein told the press that he wondered why he is being restricted to access his client.

Reacting to the development, Kanu’s special counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, tweeted : “I’m not happy. The world should not be happy. The Judge LOCKED out Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers and 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 and decisive measures.”