Court grants leave to Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer
- Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Udechukwu, steps down
- Udechukwu represented Kanu from inception of the case
- He was hired by Kanu's father in-law
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to one of the counsels represented the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, M. Udechukwu.
The judge over the case, John Tsoho said the court was granting leave to Udechukwu to the effect of the letter presented by the first defendant, Kanu.
Udechukwu had today, January 29 informed the court that he was standing down from the case following a letter by Kanu.
He said a continued representation of the defendant could possibly lead to a summon by the judicial disciplinary committee.
READ ALSO: Why Abuja federal high court denied Kanu bail today
Also, speaking to journalists, one of the members of Udechukwu's team, Vincent Obetta said his team now ceases to represent kanu.
"I just want to use this opportunity to say that my team - a team of 10 counsels - led by M. Udechukwu ceases to represent Nnamdi Kanu," Obetta said.
Udechukwu and his team had represented the accused persons at the last bail application hearing.
Sources within the family told Legit.ng that Udechukwu was employed by the defendant's inlaw (the father of Kanu's wife) to represent the accused person.
Before now, Obetta had stood as the lead counsel representing Kanu, since his arraignment at the magistrate court.
He subsequently followed suit to represent the accused person at the Federal High Court.
Obetta had also succeeded in securing three different bails for Kanu in various courts.
While all the bail conditions were perfected, the defendant has remained in the custody of the State Security Services (SSS).
READ ALSO: Kanu writes open letter to EU
Obetta at some point accused the federal government of fraudulently obtaining a court order to detain his client for 90 days pending completion of investigation on allegations of terrorism and terrorism financing.
However, Justice John Tsoho today, January 29 denied Kanu bail.
He also ordered for an accelerated trial of the matter.
Tsoho ruled that should Kanu remain in the custody of Kuje prison throughout his trial.
The trial is expected to commence on Tuesday, February 9 through Friday, February 12.
Source: Legit.ng
