He argued that the central issue now before the appellate court is whether a defendant facing charges punishable by death or life imprisonment can lawfully reject legal representation under Nigerian law.
Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the Court of Appeal to set aside Kanu’s conviction, arguing that the trial was fundamentally flawed when the court allowed the IPOB leader to represent himself despite facing charges carrying severe penalties.
In a statement titled “How Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Self-Representation Flawed His Conviction,” Ejimakor contended that the trial court committed a fatal legal error by permitting Kanu to waive legal representation after the debriefing of his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
According to Ejimakor, once Kanu informed the court of his intention to personally conduct his defence, the trial judge ought not to have proceeded without appointing counsel, regardless of the defendant’s wishes.
He argued that the central issue now before the appellate court is whether a defendant facing charges punishable by death or life imprisonment can lawfully reject legal representation under Nigerian law.
