Nigerian lawyers have reacted to a controversial incident involving the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Nnamdi Kanu, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, explaining how they will respond if a client shouted at them as Kanu did to his counsel.
In a viral video recorded in the courtroom where Kanu was standing trial for terrorism charges, the IPOB leader was seen ordering his lawyer, not to talk when he was talking.
Kanu tapped and yelled at the lawyer saying, ‘Stop talking when I’m talking!’
The IPOB leader had insisted that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, should not preside over his case, citing her previous recusal.
Consequently, Justice Nyako adjourned the case indefinitely.
In separate interviews with some legal practitioners, they stated that maintaining professionalism in the face of physical aggression was essential, adding that the boundaries of respect and safety must never be crossed.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Isiaka Olagunju, said it was discourteous of Kanu to talk down on his lawyer.
In response to whether he would handle the situation differently, Olagunju stated, ‘Until that time’.
He said, ‘All lawyers must ensure that the dignity, integrity, sanctity and respect of the profession must not be lowered by anybody.
‘This depends on the personal opinions of these lawyers. The lawyer’s behaviour is the way a lawyer should behave. He was very calm’.
Sharing his thoughts, a legal practitioner, Abdulkareem Riliwan, said he would respond immediately, asking him what he meant by the statement.
Riliwan noted that he would’ve challenged the utterances of the detained IPOB leader.
He added that Kanu would have written an apology letter to the public, pleading with him.
The legal practitioner said, ‘I don’t compromise standards as a lawyer. It’s really unfortunate. I can’t be in that situation, because I don’t tolerate nonsense.
‘The statement is ridiculous and this may be that the lawyer has ridiculed Kanu. But some lawyers ridicule themselves because of financial gains’.
Another legal practitioner, Ayo Ademiluyi, condemned Kanu’s outburst, saying, ‘It is a tyrannical attitude’.
He observed that the lawyer must’ve kept quiet because of the kind of client Kanu is.
Ademiluyi stated, ‘If Nnamdi Kanu were an ordinary client, do you think the lawyer would take that nonsense from him? But because Nnamdi Kanu is a money bag, it becomes an economic issue’.
