Again, court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s trial to September

Court orders kanu's arrest
Nnamdi Kanu

Trial of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has suffered another setback as Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned trial on treasonable felony till September, 26, 2016.

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Drama erupted during proceedings today when the second defendant, Benjamin Madubgwu, sacked his counsel, Chuks Muoma (SAN).

According to him, “When I arrived Abuja yesterday, I received a truncated instruction to appear for the 1st and the 3rd defendant.

“On arrival, I was told of another counsel representing one of the accused persons.

“I came to court today out of courtesy to the court. My conscience will make it impossible for me to behave as if I’m not aware of the abaration of the instructions.

“I’m the lead counsel in this matter and courtesy demands that any introduction of counsels should be done through me.

“I’m a very busy counsel, I don’t look for briefs, briefs look for me. I demand an explanation of this embarrassment and until that is done my appearance in this matter will be conditional.” Mouma opined.

But in his defence, the new counsel who introduced himself as Amobi Nzelu to stand in for the second defendant, Benjamin Madubgwu said it was not in his place to respond to the allegation.

According to him, “Ordinarily, I would not have responded but would have allowed the accused persons to respond over their decision.

“But because I was accused of extracting one of his clients from him, as a lead in this matter I must respond,” Nzelu said.

He added that it was only yesterday – Sunday, June 19 – that he was informed of his client’s decision to represent him.

“When I left the prison yesterday, I put a call to one of the lawyers  – Ifeanyi Ejiofor – I was unable to reach him but later returned my call and told me he was away of the latest development.

I cannot take a brief from my elder brother, my lord. So my elder brother let us settle this without involving the judge… It was just yesterday that I was briefed,” Nzelu said.

Following this objection, the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho asked the second accused person, Madubgwu to clarify the matter and he insisted that Nzelo was his counsel.

“I want to tell the court that Chief Amobi Nzelu is here to represent me as my new lawyer,” the second defendant said.

Having accepted to preside over the second defendant, Barrister Amobi however seeks for the adjournment of the case which was granted to him by the presiding judge.

After this, the case was then adjourned till September 26, 2016 by the presiding judge, Justice John Tsoho.

Kanu alongside his co-accused, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are facing a six-count charge of treasonable felony, brought against them by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Although they have been granted bail twice by a federal high court sitting in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government has refused to obey the court orders raising doubts over the possibility of Mr. Kanu and his co-accused regaining freedom.

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