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Drama in court as Danfulani says no lawyer wants to defend him

By Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
13 April 2018   |   3:08 am
A mild drama ensued at the Kaduna High Court, when civil rights activist, John Danfulani, objected to the continuation of his case before the trial judge, while alleging bias in favour of the state government. Besides, the government had sued Danfulani for allegedly posting anti-government statements on Facebook, after he was disengaged from service at…

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A mild drama ensued at the Kaduna High Court, when civil rights activist, John Danfulani, objected to the continuation of his case before the trial judge, while alleging bias in favour of the state government.

Besides, the government had sued Danfulani for allegedly posting anti-government statements on Facebook, after he was disengaged from service at the Kaduna State University as a lecturer.

Danfulani, who is standing trial at a Kaduna High Court for alleged malicious falsehood, said he could not get a lawyer to defend him in the case after the first defence counsel, Umari Barde, quit from the case at the last sitting.

Barde had quit in protest against his fear that the accused person may not get justice from the Presiding Judge, Justice Bilkisu Mohammed.

When the case was mentioned for continuation of hearing, Danfulani told the Judge, “I have gone round and no lawyer was ready to take up and defend me before this court.”

However, the state’s Deputy Director of Prosecution, Isiaka Muhammed told the court that the case should continue since the defendant was under cross examination when his lawyer withdrew from the case.

At this point, Muhammed asked Danfulani about his capacity to defend himself at the next adjournment date, but he declined comments.

Subsequently, the trial judge adjourned the case till May 17, 2018 for the accused to continue his defense in the suit.

Meanwhile, Danfulani told The Guardian that, “this is judicial terrorism. I am being persecuted because I am a Christian.”

If the judge has no interest in the matter, why can’t she quit or step down and ask another judge to handle the case? He asked adding: “All the lawyers I contacted said they cannot defend me in the court here.

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