From Victor Osula, Abuja
In a dramatic twist at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, announced that he would henceforth represent himself in his ongoing trial after his legal team withdrew from the case.
The IPOB leader is facing a seven-count amended charge of treason and terrorism preferred against him by the Federal Government. He has been in the detention facility of the DSS since June 27, 2021, when he was extradited to Nigeria after he was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021.
During the resumed hearing on Thursday, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Attorney General of the Federation, formally notified the court of his decision to withdraw from the case. Agabi informed the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, that his client had retrieved the case file from him, signalling his decision to take full charge of his defence.
Justice Omotosho, who presided over the matter, offered to appoint another lawyer to assist the IPOB leader, but Kanu declined, insisting he would personally conduct his defence.
“My lord, I will represent myself in this trial. I do not need another lawyer”, he told the court.
In his first submission as his own counsel, Kanu challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the seven-count terrorism-related charges filed against him by the Federal Government. He argued that the court lacked the competence to try him and sought time to adequately prepare his defence.
The IPOB leader revealed that he had filed a motion listing 23 individuals he intends to call as witnesses to establish his innocence. He described the witnesses as “vital and compellable” and urged the court to grant him a 90-day adjournment to enable him to contact and prepare them for testimony.
Kanu explained that the six days earlier granted by the court were insufficient to secure the attendance of his witnesses, given their national importance and busy schedules. He also stated that the witnesses’ testimonies would expose what he called “the truth behind the charges” brought against him.
Among those listed as witnesses are Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
Other notable names include Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.
The motion, dated October 21, and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, also indicated that Kanu might summon additional witnesses whose names were not disclosed. He requested that the court issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of all witnesses whose testimonies, he said, would prove his innocence.
Kanu further maintained that his continued detention since 2021 was unlawful and politically motivated, asserting that he was determined to personally defend his right to justice and freedom.
“I want to take full responsibility for my defence because I know the truth”, he said.
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho is expected to rule on Kanu’s request for a 90-day adjournment and the issuance of subpoenas for his listed witnesses at the next sitting.
