The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday revealed that he has witnesses travelling from the United Kingdom, United States, Ethiopia, and Kenya to testify in his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial against him.
Kanu, who is standing trial on charges bordering on terrorism and incitement, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the foreign witnesses would form part of the 23 individuals he intends to call as defence witnesses.
At Friday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu requested more time to prepare for his defence, explaining that he was yet to receive his case file after parting ways with his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi.
“Those who brought my case file yesterday were denied access to me,” Kanu told the court. “I need additional time to receive the documents and prepare adequately for Monday’s hearing.”
He further urged the court to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow him daily visits instead of the current two-hour sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Kanu also pleaded for an order permitting foreign nationals to visit him at the DSS detention facility, noting that some of his witnesses were already on their way to Nigeria.
“I will want the court to make an order so that these people can have access to me,” he said.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), acknowledged Kanu’s right to prepare his defence but reminded the court of the standing order requiring the defendant to conclude his defence within six days.
“The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order,” Awomolo said.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter, granting Kanu’s request for time to prepare and directing the DSS to grant him access to his legal representatives over the weekend.
Justice Omotosho, however, warned the IPOB leader to make full use of the fair-hearing opportunity, stressing that other cases had been delayed due to the priority given to his trial.
In a recent court filing, Kanu listed several high-profile Nigerians among his “vital and compellable witnesses.”
They include Theophilus Danjuma, former Minister of Defence; Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State; and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Others on the list are Okezie Ikpeazu, former Abia governor; Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation; Ahmed Rufai, ex-Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency; Yusuf Bichi, former DSS DG; and Oluwatosin Ajayi, the current DSS Director-General.
The trial continues on Monday, when Kanu is expected to begin opening his defence in the long-running case that has drawn international attention.
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