A mild drama has played out at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
It started after a lawyer, Charles Udeh, battled to be included in the legal team of Biafra nation agitator Nnamdi Kanu in terrorism charges.
During the proceedings, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, announced that he had received a protest letter from one Charles Udeh, claiming to be part of the legal representation for the trial.
Justice Omotosho said: “I approved 16 lawyers for the defendants, and I have 29 on the list, I won’t take it.”
“It is very important we move on without hitches.”
In response to the drama, Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, said, “My Lord, I don’t know him, and he is not a member of the team.”
Justice Omotosho, at that point, insisted that he would accommodate him if he is a counsel on record.
He then asked Kanu for further confirmation, who said, “This is my counsel (pointing at Ejimakor), the matter has to go on. Some other time, we can accommodate him.”
After Kanu’s response, Justice Omotosho cited the small size of the court, saying, “I don’t want to be pushed to create a room and make people watch from there.”
“As much as the defendant has said his counsel is the lead counsel, we will proceed,” Justice Omotosho held further.
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, had arrived at the court for the continuation of his fresh trial.
Decked in his usual white tracksuit, Kanu briefly exchanged pleasantries with family members and his team of lawyers before entering the dock.
