The Federal High Court in Abuja declined to hear a motion seeking the transfer of the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, after his younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, attempted to represent him.
Kanu, who was recently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, filed the fresh motion before the Court, arguing that he should not be held at Sokoto prison, but rather in a facility near Abuja.
The motion, which was presented to the trial court by “Emmanuel Kanu,” was intended to be moved in Kanu’s absence, as the applicant acknowledged the impossibility of his appearance before the court or chambers to personally move the motion, and therefore requested that the judge should proceed and hear it in his absence.
Kanu maintained that transferring him to a facility near Abuja would be in the interest of justice to enable him to effectively prosecute his appeal.
Read Also: Why I Don’t Want To Stay In Sokoto Prison – Nnamdi Kanu
However, when the matter was called, Trial Justice Omotosho declined to grant audience to Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, who had “announced his appearance on behalf of the IPOB leader.
Justice Omotosho clarified that Emmanuel could not move the “ex parte motion” because he is “not a legal practitioner.”
The trial judge “insisted”: “This ex parte motion cannot be moved on the convict’s behalf because you are not a legal practitioner.”
The judge told Emmanuel that when he refers to representation, it is not his (Kanu’s) father, brother, sister or relations I meant. I mean his counsel.
He further explained, But you cannot represent a human being when you are not a lawyer; you can only represent a corporate body.
Justice Omotosho stated he was not going to the merit of this application now in the interest of justice, but firmly advised, Therefore, you cannot move the application because you are not a solicitor or advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He humorously added, “For you to be qualified as a lawyer, it will take you another six years or thereabout. So get a counsel to move the application”.
The judge implored the applicant to engage a legal practitioner or approach the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria for legal representation since the law allows it.
Taking the hint, Emmanuel requested for a hearing date.
Consequently, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the motion till December 8th.
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