Judge Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother in Court, Says ‘You Need Six Years to Be a Lawyer’
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to recognise Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, who attempted to appear for the detained Biafra agitator during proceedings, prompting the trial judge to warn that only a qualified legal practitioner can stand before the court. Emmanuel had risen to announce that he was appearing for his brother and intended to move an application seeking Kanu’s transfer from the Sokoto Custodial Centre—where he is currently serving a life sentence—to a facility closer to Abuja to enable him adequately pursue his appeal.
Justice James Omotosho immediately halted him, explaining that the law does not permit a non-lawyer to represent another person in criminal proceedings. The judge told Emmanuel that he would require “six years or thereabout” of legal training to qualify as a lawyer and advised him to either hire proper counsel or approach the Legal Aid Council if his brother needed representation.
He stressed that family members—whether siblings, parents or children—cannot stand in court on behalf of a convict or defendant.
The court session, which was meant to consider an ex parte motion filed in Nnamdi Kanu’s name, turned into a brief clarification on courtroom rules and the limits of representation. Justice Omotosho also used the opportunity to correct what he described as misleading public commentary surrounding Kanu’s ongoing legal issues.
Responding indirectly to earlier claims by one of Kanu’s former lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, the judge stated that a convict does not need to be physically present in court for the compilation of records of appeal, as such rights differ from those accorded to a defendant.
With Emmanuel unable to move the application, the judge adjourned the matter to December 8 for proper hearing, reiterating that the motion would only be entertained when presented by a qualified lawyer.
The development adds another layer of legal drama to Kanu’s long-running case, which has continued to attract national attention and debate.
