Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says his witnesses will be coming from all parts of the world, including Ethiopia, Kenya and the United States (U.S.).
Kanu, who opted to defend himself in the ongoing alleged terrorism trial preferred against him by the Federal Government, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on Friday in Abuja.
Kanu, in the application he personally signed, informed the court of his plan to call a total of 23 witnesses divided into two categories.
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The first category, he said, would be those he called “ordinary but material witnesses”.
He further informed the court that his second category of witnesses would be “vital and compellable” and shall be “summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.”
He prayed the court that, in view of the number of witnesses he intended to call, the court should consider granting a 90-day timeframe to enable him to conclude his defence.
The leader of the IPOB, however, disengaged his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice on Thursday.
He told the court he was ready to defend himself.
When the case was called on Friday, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, represented the FG, and Kanu, who spoke from the dock, announced his appearance for himself.
“I am Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. I stand for myself,” he said.
“My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them.
“The few people that would have brought this were precluded from seeing me,” he said.
The IPOB leader then urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable him to do the needful.
“The few people that would have brought this were precluded from seeing me,” he said.
The IPOB leader then urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable him to do the needful.
When Justice Omotosho asked him what the visiting days and times were, he said, “Two hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”
According to Kanu, that is not enough because I have about 23 witnesses that will be coming all parts of the world, from Ethiopia, Kenya, and thecoming from U.S.
“I will want the court to make an order so that these people can have access to me,” he said.
When the judge asked him if these people were part of the witnesses he listed in the motion he filed, he said, “They are part of the witnesses listed, my lord.”
Responding, Adegboyega said Kanu had had all the time to defend himself since his no-case submission application failed.
Besides, the senior lawyer said the court bailiff had been trying to serve the subpoenaed witnesses Kanu listed in his application the summons to appear in court.
