Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has opted to defend himself in court after his entire legal team withdrew from his ongoing trial on treason and terrorism charges.
At Thursday’s court session, senior lawyer Kanu Agabi, who had been leading Kanu’s defence team, announced his withdrawal, stating that the defendant had chosen to handle his own representation.
All the senior advocates of Nigeria (SAN) on the defence team also withdrew from the case, a decision Kanu confirmed in court.
Kanu told the court that he would be representing himself for now but might consider engaging a lawyer later. When the presiding judge asked if he wished to be assigned legal counsel, he declined the offer.
Defending himself orally, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him.
Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 before fleeing the country after being granted bail in 2017, was re-arrested in 2021 and has since remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The federal government has maintained its case against him, accusing the separatist leader of inciting violence through IPOB’s activities and calling for the secession of the south-east region from Nigeria.
In a new application filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, Kanu stated that he was ready to proceed with his defence, which borders on treasonable felony and terrorism charges.
He informed the court that he intends to call two categories of witnesses — those described as “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses, to 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, Imo State governor; and Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Others include Okezie Ikpeazu, former Abia State governor; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation; Ahmed Rufai, former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency; Yusuf Bichi, former DSS director-general; and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DSS DG.
Kanu also asked the court to grant him 90 days to conclude his defence, citing the number of witnesses and the volume of evidence he intends to present.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
