 In his statement Abu @-@ Jamal criticized his attorney as a " legal trained lawyer " who was imposed on him against his will and who " knew he was inadequate to the task and chose to follow the directions of this black @-@ robed <unk> , Albert Sabo , even if it meant ignoring my directions " . He claimed that his rights had been " <unk> stolen " from him by Sabo , particularly focusing on the denial of his request to receive defense assistance from non @-@ attorney John Africa and being prevented from proceeding pro <unk> . He quoted remarks of John Africa , and said : 
