STATE
V.
OKPONIPERE

EKO JCA (Delivering the Lead Ruling): On 19 February 2009 TeetitoJ., the learned trial Judge, delivered his rulingon the objection raised by the prosecutor, Mr. Otorubio, Deputy Director Public Prosecutions (DDPP), Ministry of Justice, Rivers State, to the effect that when an accused person, though a lawyer, chooses to defend himself, he remains in the dock and is not entitled to cite legal authorities, as if he were a counsel at the Bar, and that notwithstanding section 36(6)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, anaccused legal practitioner appearingin person loses all privileges of a legal practitioner. In his ruling Teetito, J. dismissed the objection and stated, inter alia - In the instant case, the accused legal practitioner filed his motion and written address in support thereof (subject of this objection). He remained in the dock without venturing to sit at the Bar fully robed. I think the procedure adopted by the accused and the candour exhibite…