I have witnesses coming from UK, US, Ethiopia, Nnamdi Kanu tells court

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says he has witnesses coming from various countries to testify in his defence.

Kanu is facing terrorism-related charges after the federal government accused him 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, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), prompting the lawyers to formally withdraw their representation.

He informed the court of his intention to personally conduct his defence, after which James Omotosho, the presiding judge, fixed October 24 for the opening of the case.

At the resumed sitting on Friday, Kanu said he could not proceed because he was yet to receive his case file, noting that those who attempted to deliver it to him the previous day were denied access.

He requested additional time to obtain the file over the weekend and prepare adequately for Monday’s hearing.

Kanu also asked the court to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow daily visits instead of the current schedule of two hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to facilitate his preparation.

In addition, he sought an order permitting foreigners access to the DSS facility, noting that some of the 23 witnesses he intends to call would be coming from countries like 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, the prosecuting counsel, said Kanu had all the time to defend himself since his no-case submission application failed.

The senior lawyer added that the bailiff has been making efforts to serve the witnesses subpoenaed by Kanu with summons to appear in court.

Awomolo said, contrary to Kanu’s submission, he was not aware that “some of the witnesses are coming from parts of the world”.

The prosecution counsel did not oppose Kanu’s request for adjournment but prayed the court not to vacate the standing order which directed the IPOB to defend himself within six days.

“I am aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within dix 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 the adjournment and directed the DSS to allow Kanu access to his legal team over the weekend to prepare his defence.

He cautioned the defendant to make full use of the fair-hearing opportunity extended to him, 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 informed the court that he intended to call two categories of witnesses—those described as “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses, who he said would be summoned under section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Among those listed as “vital and compellable” witnesses are Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor; Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state; and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Others are Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia state; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice; Ahmed Rufai, immediate past director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Yusuf Bichi, former director-general (DG) of the DSS; and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DSS DG.