Accused underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in federal court

Detroit (WXYZ) - A security camera tower, U.S. Marshals and bomb sniffing dogs, all in place at the Federal courthouse in downtown Detroit this morning for the court appearance of accused underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

The twenty-four year old Nigerian is charged with attempting to blow up Flight 253 on Christmas day last year.

At 10:30 a.m. Abdulmutallab, in handcuffs, was led into the courtroom by U.S. Marshals.

Judge Nancy Edmunds asked if Abdulmutallab still wanted to act as his own attorney or instead, let his appointed standby counsel Anthony Chambers take over.

Speaking quietly, Abdulmutallab said “I do not feel it's necessary, I like the arrangement,"

But it came out in court that Abdulmutallab wasn’t giving Chambers access to the government evidence against him to help prepare for trial. Abdulmutallab again told the judge, he didn’t think it was necessary for Chambers to see it.

The judge disagreed and ruled that even though Abdulmutallab didn’t want Chambers to see the discovery, the attorney had to have access to it, to answer any questions Abdulmutallab may have.

Chambers said it would help the process.

"It is important as it is in any other case so we can review the case to determine what should happen and how things should transpire," said Chambers.

Chambers also said Abdulmutallab's family is supporting him. He would not say if Abdulmutallab has had contact with the prosecutor's office about a possible plea deal.

Abdulmutallab will be back in federal court on January 12th, 2011.