The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has stated that he has witnesses from different countries who will testify in his defence.
Kanu is facing terrorism-related charges after being accused by the federal government of inciting violence through IPOB’s activities and calling for the secession of the south-east region from Nigeria.
On Thursday, he disengaged his legal team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), prompting the lawyers to officially withdraw their representation.
Kanu then informed the court that he would personally handle his defence, after which Justice James Omotosho fixed October 24 for the commencement of the trial.
At the resumed sitting on Friday, Kanu said he was unable to proceed because he had not yet received his case file, explaining that those who tried to deliver it the previous day were denied access to him.
He requested extra time to obtain the file over the weekend to prepare adequately for Monday’s hearing.
Kanu also appealed to the court to order the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow daily visits instead of the current two-hour schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so he could properly prepare for his defence.
Additionally, he sought an order allowing foreigners access to the DSS facility, noting that some of his 23 witnesses would be coming from the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Ethiopia, and Kenya.
“I will want the court to make an order so that these people can have access to me,” he said.
Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the prosecuting counsel, argued that Kanu had ample time to prepare since his no-case submission had already been dismissed. He also noted that efforts were being made to serve summons on the witnesses Kanu had subpoenaed.
Awomolo added that he was unaware that “some of the witnesses are coming from parts of the world,” and while he did not oppose the adjournment, he urged the court to maintain the six-day timeline set for Kanu’s defence.
“I am aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days,” he said. “The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order.”
The judge granted Kanu’s request for an adjournment and directed the DSS to grant him access to his legal team over the weekend to prepare his case.
He also cautioned Kanu to make good use of the fair-hearing opportunity, noting that other cases before the court had been delayed due to the priority given to his trial.
In an application filed on Tuesday, Kanu revealed his plan to call two categories of witnesses — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” — under section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among the “vital and compellable” witnesses listed are Theophilus Danjuma (former Minister of Defence), Tukur Buratai (former Chief of Army Staff), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Governor of Lagos State), Hope Uzodimma (Governor of Imo State), and Nyesom Wike (Minister of the Federal Capital Territory).
Others include Okezie Ikpeazu (former Governor of Abia State), Dave Umahi (Minister of Works), Abubakar Malami (former Attorney-General of the Federation), Ahmed Rufai (former DG of the National Intelligence Agency), Yusuf Bichi (former DG of the DSS), and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DG of the DSS.