Agency report
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Dec. 8 for hearing in a motion ex-parte filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Thursday after he declined to give audience to Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, who announced appearance for the IPOB leader inspite of not being a lawyer.
Kanu, in the motion ex-parte personally signed by him, had sought an order that, in view of the impossibility of the applicant (Kanu) being present in court or chambers to personally move the motion, “this motion shall be deemed moved in abstentia and in terms of the motion.”
He also sought an order compelling the Federal Government and/or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) “to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
Alternately, Kanu sought an order transferring him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, who was convicted for terrorism offences on Nov. 20, is presently serving the life imprisonment at the Sokoto State Correctional Centre.
The convict, who sacked his team of lawyers prior to the judgment, had opted to defend himself.
When the case was called on Thursday, Justice Omotosho asked for appearance of a lawyer.
But Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, who is not a lawyer, then announced appearance for the IPOB leader.
The judge then told Emmanuel that such an application cannot be moved by him.
“This ex-parte motion cannot be moved on the convict’s behalf because you are not a legal practitioner,” he said.
Justice Omotosho, who advised Emmanuel to engage a knowledgeable lawyer, said that a lawyer who is grossly inadequate in knowledge of appellate procedure should stop misleading the public.
“I think it is high time we address the right opinion. Appropriate legal advice is necessary,” he said.
Justice Omotosho consequently refused to give audience to Emmanuel, having not been a lawyer.
The judge adjourned the matter until Dec. 8 for hearing of pending application.
Kanu said it would be in the interest of justice that he be transferred to a facility near Abuja to effectively prosecute his appeal. NAN
