A mild drama ensued on Thursday after IPOB leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, asked that the lawyer who served as his lead counsel in previous sittings, M. U. Udechukwu, step down for Chucks Muoma.
Mr. Kanu wrote to the court, ahead of Friday’s sitting, asking that there should be a change in his representation.
Mr. Kanu is facing charges of treason. The court is to rule on his bail application today.
When the lawyers announced their appearances, Mr. Udechukwu said he had been informed of the letter, saying he would immediately stand down for Mr. Muoma to continue the case.
But Mr. Muoma said he was surprised that Mr. Udechukwu had raised the issue so early. He said he had told Mr. Udechukwu that there was a letter to that effect, but that he should first complete the bail application he was handling, before withdrawing.
However, Mr. Udechukwu insisted on handing over the case, because the letter said he had impersonated the lead counsel at previous hearings.
He therefore prayed the court to record his apology for the said offence, and that the court should note that he was withdrawing from the case.
