A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has officially withdrawn his appearance for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Agabi, who had previously led Kanu’s defence team, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that he would no longer represent the IPOB leader. He explained that Kanu had chosen to personally handle his defence and retrieved his case files from him and other members of his legal team.
Confirming the development from the dock, Kanu told the court that he would represent himself going forward. He also declined an offer from the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, for legal assistance.
In his first submission as his own counsel, Kanu challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the seven-count terrorism-related charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, also filed a motion seeking to summon 23 high-profile witnesses to testify on his behalf. The list includes serving and former governors, ministers, and security chiefs, whom he described as “vital and compellable witnesses.”
Among the proposed witnesses are Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
Others include Minister of Works Dave Umahi, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former NIA Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and former DSS Director-General Yusuf Bichi.
Kanu also requested a 90-day extension to present his defence, arguing that the initial six-day period granted by the court was insufficient given the number and status of the witnesses he plans to call.
The motion, dated October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, further asked the court to issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of the witnesses, stating that their testimonies would prove his innocence.
What You Should Know
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, has opted to represent himself in court after his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from the case.
Kanu is challenging the court’s jurisdiction over the seven-count terrorism charge against him and plans to call 23 high-profile witnesses, including governors and ministers, to testify in his defence.
He is seeking a 90-day extension to conclude his case and has urged the court to compel the attendance of his witnesses. Kanu has been in custody since 2021 following his re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria.
