Key Points

• Nnamdi Kanu takes over his own defence in court.

• His lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, and team withdraw from the trial.

• Kanu challenges the court’s jurisdiction in the terrorism case.

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, has withdrawn from defending the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Agabi announced his decision on Thursday when the trial resumed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He said Kanu had chosen to represent himself and collected his case file along with those of other senior lawyers.

From the dock, Kanu confirmed the decision. He told the court he would take charge of his own defence.

He also turned down the offer of Justice James Omotosho to have another lawyer assigned to him.

Kanu challenges court’s jurisdiction

In his first submission, Kanu questioned the court’s authority to try him. The case involves seven counts linked to terrorism charges filed by the Federal Government.

He said he has been in detention since 2021 and needed more time to prepare. Kanu asked the court for 90 days to defend himself instead of the six days earlier approved.

He said the extension was necessary because of the number and status of witnesses he plans to call.

High-profile witnesses listed

Kanu submitted a list of 23 proposed witnesses. They include Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Others are former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, retired Army Chief Tukur Buratai, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma.

He also named former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, ex-National Intelligence Agency Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and former DSS Director-General Yusuf Bichi.

Kanu seeks subpoenas for witnesses

In a motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu asked the court to issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of all the listed witnesses. He said their testimonies would help prove his innocence.

Kanu added that he might call more witnesses who were not on the initial list.