Court has signed witness summons for Wike, Sanwo-Olu, and Uzodinma among others in Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has confirmed that witness summonses requested by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, have been signed and are ready for dispatch to several high-profile Nigerians.
Among those listed as witnesses are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and former Chiefs of Army Staff, Generals T.Y. Danjuma and Tukur Buratai.
Justice Omotosho made the disclosure during Thursday’s court session, noting that the signed summonses are available for Kanu to collect and serve as required by law. The court’s decision follows Kanu’s formal request filed on October 21, listing 23 notable Nigerians including governors, ministers, and military chiefs as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial.
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The judge directed Kanu to ensure proper service of the summonses to guarantee timely response from the witnesses.
However, Thursday’s proceedings took a dramatic turn as Kanu announced he had dismissed his entire legal team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN). Agabi, alongside other senior advocates: Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba, and one unnamed SAN formally withdrew from the case, stating that the IPOB leader had “taken back the case” and would represent himself.
Justice Omotosho ordered other members of the defence team, except the SANs, to vacate the courtroom before calling on Kanu to open his defence.
Kanu, however, declined to begin, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and citing four grounds:
The Federal Government’s alleged contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment ordering his release.
His claim that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and the Customs and Excise Act under which he was charged had been repealed.
Alleged denial of fair hearing due to his detention by the DSS, which he said hindered proper consultation with his lawyers.
His assertion that the medical report certifying him fit for trial was forged, claiming he was never examined by the Nigerian Medical Association’s team.
Kanu urged the court to nullify the proceedings and order his release.
Responding, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) dismissed Kanu’s claims, arguing that the Court of Appeal judgment he referenced had been set aside by the Supreme Court on December 15, 2023. He added that Kanu’s oral arguments should have been presented as a sworn affidavit.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, stated that the court had already addressed most of the issues raised by Kanu in previous rulings, including his no-case submission dismissed on September 26.
He appealed to Kanu to “exercise his constitutional right to fair hearing” and open his defence, stressing that the opportunity before him must not be wasted.
Following an intervention by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who requested more time for Kanu to prepare, the IPOB leader told the court that he needed additional time to organize his defence.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned proceedings until Friday, October 24, for Kanu to open his defence, noting that the timeline for his self-representation began from Thursday.
