A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, has formally withdrawn his appearance for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Agabi, who had been leading Kanu’s defence team, announced his withdrawal during Thursday’s resumed proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He told the court that Kanu had chosen to represent himself and had taken back his case files from him and other senior lawyers on the defence team.
Confirming the development from the dock, Nnamdi Kanu informed the court that he would henceforth conduct his own defence. He also declined an offer by the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, to have a court-appointed lawyer represent him.
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 filed against him by the Federal Government.
It will be recalled that Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, recently filed a fresh motion before the court, personally signed by him, listing 23 individuals he intends to call as witnesses in his defence.
Among those named as “vital and compellable witnesses” are:
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Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State
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Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
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Abubakar Malami, immediate past Attorney General of the Federation
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Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff
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Dave Umahi, Minister of Works
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Okezie Ikpeazu, immediate past Governor of Abia State
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Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Minister of Defence
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Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
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Yusuf Bichi, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In the motion dated October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu requested a 90-day extension to enable him to present and conclude his defence, explaining that the initial six-day period granted by the court would be insufficient given the number and status of his proposed witnesses.
He further asked the court to issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of all listed and additional unnamed witnesses, whose testimonies, he claimed, would prove his innocence of the charges brought against him
