The detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, made a dramatic shift on Tuesday, October 21, informing the Abuja Federal High Court of his readiness to open his defence.
This development occurred a day after 2023 AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore led protests in Abuja demanding Kanu’s release.
Persecondnews recalls that Kanu had, last Thursday, October 16, filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial.
The objection came on the same day a team of medical experts appointed by the court declared him medically fit to stand trial.
In a fresh motion personally filed on Tuesday, October 21, Kanu told the court that he was prepared to begin his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on October 16, directing the defendant to commence his defence on October 24.”
Kanu disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses divided into two categories, “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses”, the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The motion, which Kanu personally signed, suggested that he may have disengaged his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
He also requested 90 days to conclude his defence due to the number of witnesses he intends to call.
Kanu stated that he would testify on his own behalf, “providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.”
Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” were former Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma; former Chief of Army Staff, retired Gen. Tukur Buratai; Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo S
Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Others include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Kanu also listed former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, among others whose identities he withheld.
He pledged to submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.
He assured the court that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” adding that “justice must not only be done but be manifestly seen to have been done.”
Meanwhile, on the same day Kanu filed his motion, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of his special counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during protests demanding his release.
The police charged the 13 defendants with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace — offences contrary to sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Those named in the first two information reports include Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate, after briefly standing down the case, ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 24 for arraignment.
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