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Justice James Omotosho has signed witness summonses for 23 notable Nigerians.
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It include FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, and former Chiefs of Army Staff T. Y. Danjuma and Tukur Buratai, as requested by IPOB leader Nnamdi KANU.
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Kanu dismissed his entire legal team, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and announced he will conduct his own defence.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday disclosed that witness summonses requested by Nnamdi Kanu to compel 23 prominent Nigerians to testify in his terrorism trial had been signed and were ready for dispatch.
The list includes the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu; and former Chiefs of Army Staff, General T. Y Danjuma and Tukur Buratai.
Justice Omotosho directed Kanu to pick up and serve the summonses individually to ensure timely compliance.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), announced the dismissal of his entire legal team, including Senior Advocates Godwin Kanu Agabi, Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba. Agabi confirmed the withdrawal, stating that Kanu had “taken this case back from us” and they respected his decision.
Kanu informed the court that he would now conduct his own defence, but initially refused to open his case, challenging the court’s jurisdiction. He cited four grounds:
1. Alleged contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment ordering his acquittal and release.
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu Fires Lawyers, Opts to Represent Self in Terrorism Trial
2. Charges brought under repealed laws, including the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and Customs and Excise Act.
3. Denial of fair hearing due to restricted access to his lawyers while in DSS custody.
4. Alleged forgery of a medical report certifying him fit to stand trial.
The prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, rejected Kanu’s claims. Awomolo said the Court of Appeal judgment had been set aside by the Supreme Court on December 15, 2023, and that Kanu’s medical report objection implicated his former lawyers, who had verified the report.
Justice Omotosho reminded the defendant that the issues he raised had been substantially considered in his no-case submission, which the court overruled on September 26.
The judge granted Kanu an opportunity under Section 36 of the Constitution to conduct his defence, emphasizing the right to either exercise or waive it.
Following intervention from SAN Onyechi Ikpeazu, the court adjourned until Friday, October 24, to allow Kanu adequate time to prepare. Kanu acknowledged that he had only three hours in court the previous day and requested sufficient facilities to defend himself.
The prosecuting team did not object.
