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By Correspondent in Abuja.
In a dramatic turn of events at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, announced the immediate dismissal of his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), opting instead to defend himself in his ongoing trial.
Kanu, who made the declaration before Justice James Omotosho at the resumed hearing, told the court he was “capable of conducting his own defense.”
Our correspondent reports that Kanu’s decision prompted Chief Agabi,a former Attorney-General of the Federation,and other senior advocates on the team to formally withdraw their appearance from the case.
Following his announcement, Kanu proceeded to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to continue trying him, questioning the legal basis of the proceedings.
The Reporters recalls that Kanu had earlier filed a motion dated October 21, personally signed by him, listing a number of prominent Nigerians as witnesses in his defense.
The motion, titled “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges Against the Defendant,” included a long list of “compellable witnesses.”
Among those named are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.); as well as Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), and Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
Also listed are former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar; and former Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.
Kanu stated in the motion that he would provide the court with sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution accordingly.
Earlier on Wednesday, the IPOB leader held a private consultation with members of his legal team inside Justice Omotosho’s courtroom, in compliance with a previous court order.
He was brought to the court under tight security by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
