Why Suit against FG stalled, adjourned

Biafra flag atop of a building

The suit filed by Bilie Human Rights Initiatives, on behalf of the Supreme Council of Elders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government on self determination, was yesterday, stalled when two different counsel claimed to hold a brief for the plaintiff.
When the case was called for hearing, Chief Bonny Obi had announced appearance for the plaintiff and almost immediately, Mr. O. O. Uwazie sprang to his feet and claimed he remained the sole counsel as he had not been notified of any change.

Even when the presiding judge, Justice Louis Alagba asked Uwazie, who had been holding brief for  Emeka A. C. Emeka earlier engaged by IPOB, if he was not aware that he was no longer the counsel for the plaintiff, Uwazie insisted he had the authority of Emeka who he claimed had the brief of the group.
He further argued that acting President of the organisation, Elder Michael Umorem did not inform him of a change of counsel.

He pointed out that the tenure of Innocent Amadi had long expired as the president of the group and does not have the right to change him.

Uwazie appealed to the judge to adjourn the case for the matter to be sorted out.

However, Justice Alagba, who refused his plea, reminded him that the plaintiff reserves the right to change his counsel and that since he had claimed not to have been served any notice of disengagement, he should promptly be served immediately in court and ordered to communicate same to A.C Emeka whose brief he holds.

The case was adjourned to November 23, 2016 for further hearing although the Federal Government was not represented in court.

-Dailysun