Kanu gets Court’s permission to summon Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Uzodinma as witnesses
Some form of reprieve has come the way of Nnamdi Kanu as Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has said that the witness summons asked for by Kanu to be issued against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and 22 others to give evidence in his terrorism trial have been signed and are ready for dispatch to the aforementioned witnesses.
Others whose summons have been signed and ready for delivery are governor of Imo state,, Hope Uzodinma, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwoolu and two former Chiefs of Army Staff, General T. Y Danjuma and Tukur Buratai.
They are part of prominent Nigerians listed by Kanu to be compelled by the judge to.how up in court to give evidence in the terrorism charges slammed against him by the Federal Government since 2015.
Justice Omotosho announced in the open court on Thursday that he had given effect to Kanu’s request, signed the witness summons and that they are available for him to collect and serve on the said witnesses as required.
Kanu, had in a notice to defend, filed on October 21, listed the names of prominent Nigerians, including former and serving governors, ministers, military and security chiefs as his intended witnesses, who he said should be compelled to attend court.
The judge directed Kanu to pick up the witness summons and serve them individually as required by law to ensure quick response of the witnesses.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, announced that he had fired all members of his legal team.
Kanu, who announced the decision himself on Thursday, told the court that he was willing and ready to now conduct his own case by himself.
At the resumed hearing in Kanu’s terrorism trial on Thursday, the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced his team for the prosecution.
When it was time for the defendant’s legal team to announce appearance, the leader of the team, Kanu Agabi, SAN, stood up and told the court they were only present out of the respect for the court.
Kanu stated that they were in court to formally announce their withdrawal from further participation in the trial.
Agabi said that the reason for their decision “is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that”.
He gave the names of the other SANs, who are also withdrawing to include: Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba and one other.
Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.
Kanu confirmed sacking all his lawyers and told the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his own case by himself.
