The Attorney-General of the Federation’s legal counsel was criticized by the Court of Appeal in Abuja for asking the court to postpone consideration of its request for a stay of execution against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Remember that on October 13, the Court of Appeal cleared Kanu of the terrorism accusations the Federal Government had brought against him, citing the “lawlessness” of the executive branch of government.
However, on October 19, the AGF’s attorney, D. Kaswe, requested a stay of execution against the appellate court decision.
Three Appeal Court Justices That Discharged Nnamdi Kanu ‘Punished’ By FG
When the case came before the Court of Appeal, Kaswe requested an adjournment so that he could reply to a counterapplication submitted by Kanu’s attorney, Mike Ozekhome.
“However, the respondent served us with a counter suit to our application on Friday and we are further served with authority from the respondent.
“In view of this service on us, the application may not be ripe for hearing as we will be needing time to respond,” he said.
But Ozekhome raised an objection, saying the citation of legal authorities does not require a lawyer who knows the books to ask for an adjournment.
“My lord, I am surprised at the AGF, at 5:03 pm on Wednesday (19 October) they served us, and on Friday, we served them. We have not filed any new applications, this case is ripe for hearing,” Ozekhome countered.
Ozekhome argued that Kanu is terminally ill but that the AGF wants to allegedly stop the liberty of his client through long adjournment
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“They don’t want to release him. They want to benefit from their wrongs,” Ozekhome argued.
Justice Haruna S., who presided over a three-person panel of the appellate court, concluded that the AGF counsel shouldn’t be talking about a protracted adjournment when the matter also affects Kanu’s fundamental right.
The panel advised attorneys to consider and rationalize their arguments before testifying in court.
“It is not something that will require a very long adjournment,” the judge said, shifting the case to 12 pm today.
But then, Kaswe said he needed ample time to return to the office, read the authorities and file a respond but the Judge countered him, saying, “That’s the decision of the court if you want to file, fine.”
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