Chuks Muoma (SAN), lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has threatened to withdraw from his trial.
Muoma declared before James Tsoho, justice of the federal high court in Abuja, on Monday, that his appearance for Kanu would be conditional following the “extraction” of one his clients – a defendant in the case – by another lawyer.
Benjamin Madubugwu, second defendant, who is standing trial with Kanu, announced to the court that he no longer wanted Muoma to represent him.
Muoma described the sudden change of counsel as an affront to him, declaring “my appearance in this case will be conditional”.
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However, Amobi Nzelu, the new counsel to the second defendant, appealed to the senior lawyer for understanding, saying that he had not intention to snatch his client.
He added that it was the right of an individual to choose his own counsel.
But the trial could not commence owing to a motion filed by Kanu’s lawyer who asked the court for an adjournment to enable Madubugwu’s lawyer and the prosecution to study and to respond to the application.
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With no objection from the prosecution, the judge adjourned the case to September 26 for hearing of the motion and for trial.
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