Trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, was stalled Monday following a motion that the court should disqualify itself from the proceedings.
Kanu is facing a six-count charge bordering on Treason alongside Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
At the resumed hearing, Mr Amobi Nzelu, who appeared for Madubugwu, said he filed a motion asking the court to disqualify itself from the trial.
Nzelu, in his motion, said that there was a case of manifest bias in the case, adding that the court`s impartiality in the case would be reasonably questioned. He therefore, asked the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the case file.
However, Counsel to Kanu, Mr Chuks Momah (SAN), who had been appearing for Madubugwu, said he was not aware that the second defendant hired another lawyer.
Momah, said that Madubugwu ought to have informed him that he was engaging a new lawyer in the matter.
However, when the Judge asked the second defendant to clarify the issues, Madubugwu said, “My Lord, I want to make it known to the whole world that Chief Amobi Nzelu is my lawyer’’.
On that note, Nzelu applied for time to get copies of the processes in the matter and study them so as to effectively represent his client.
The prosecuting counsel, Shuaibu Labaran, Principal State Counsel, accused the defence of attempting to frustrate the trial.
“We were served this morning with a strongly worded motion.
“And from the face of the motion, there is a clear indication that the defendants are again out to truncate the proceedings,’’ Labaran said.
The judge, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned hearing of the motion till Sept. 26.
Credit: Guardian
