In response to a contentious episode involving Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, and his attorney Aloy Ejimakor, Nigerian attorneys have stated how they would behave if a client yelled at them in the same way that Kanu did to his attorney.
The IPOB leader was heard telling his counsel to stop talking as he was speaking in a widely shared video taken in the courtroom where Kanu was on trial for terrorism-related offenses.
“Stop talking when I’m talking,” Kanu shouted at the lawyer.
Speaking with a Media, Isiaka Olagunju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said, Kanu’s disparaging remarks against his attorney were impolite. When asked if he would approach the matter differently, Olagunju replied, “Until that time.”
Isiaka 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 behavior is the way a lawyer should behave. He was very calm.”
Another legal practitioner, Abdulkareem Riliwan 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.”