Charles Udeh, a lawyer, fought to be included to the defense team of Biafra nation separatist Nnamdi Kanu in terrorist charges Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, setting off a mild drama.
Justice James Omotosho, the trial judge, declared during the proceedings that he had received a letter of objection from a man named Charles Udeh, who claimed to be a member of the trial’s legal team.
According to Justice Omotosho: “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.”
Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s primary attorney, responded to the drama by saying, “My Lord, I don’t know him, and he is not a member of the team.”
At that moment, Justice Omotosho stated that if he was a counsel on file, he would make accommodations for him.
He then requested additional confirmation from Kanu, who replied, “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.
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had come to the court to continue his new trial.
Before going into the dock, Kanu, dressed in his typical white tracksuit, made small talk with his family and his legal team.
