Kanu seeks 90 days to defend Himself, plans to call 23 witnesses from abroad
Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant him 90 days to prepare his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Kanu, who has opted to represent himself, told Justice James Omotosho on Friday that he plans to call 23 witnesses from within and outside Nigeria, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States.
He informed the court that his witnesses are divided into two categories — “ordinary but material” and “vital and compellable” — and that they will be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Kanu, who recently disengaged his legal team led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), said he was not ready to commence his defence because his lawyers had not handed over his case file. He also requested more visitation hours with his counsel, saying the current three days a week at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility were insufficient.
Justice Omotosho granted his request for additional visitation days on Saturdays and Mondays and ordered the DSS to provide another facility for Kanu and his counsel to meet. The judge, however, expressed concern over delays in the trial and urged Kanu to use the opportunity to open his defence.
The case was adjourned until October 27 for Kanu to begin his defence.
