The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved and signed NAIJAONPOINT summons requested by Nnamdi Kanu in his ongoing terrorism case.
The signed documents are now ready for delivery to the individuals listed by the detained IPOB leader.
Among those summoned are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and former Chiefs of Army Staff, Generals T.Y. Danjuma and Tukur Buratai. Kanu had named a total of 23 prominent Nigerians, including former governors, ministers, and military officers, whom he wants to appear in court to testify in his defence.
Justice Omotosho made the announcement in court on Thursday, confirming that he had granted Kanu’s request and that the defendant was expected to collect and serve the summons on NAIJAONPOINT es personally, in line with legal procedure.
During the resumed hearing, Kanu stunned the courtroom by revealing that he had dismissed his entire legal team. Addressing the court directly, he declared his intention to represent himself henceforth. His former lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), confirmed the development, stating that they were present only to formally withdraw from the case.
Agabi explained, “The defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect his decision.” He also mentioned that other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba, had also withdrawn from the defence team.
Following this announcement, Justice Omotosho directed all other members of Kanu’s team, except the SANs, to leave the courtroom. The judge then asked Kanu to proceed with his defence.
Kanu, however, declined to open his defence, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him. He insisted that the Federal Government had disobeyed an earlier Court of Appeal judgment which, according to him, ordered his release. He further contended that the laws under which he was charged—the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and the Customs and Excise Act—had been repealed.
He also accused the authorities of denying him fair hearing, claiming that his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) prevented him from consulting adequately with his lawyers. Additionally, he rejected a medical report presented by a team from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), alleging that the document was falsified, as he was never examined or tested.
In his words, “This is a jurisdictional issue that goes to the heart of this case. The Federal Government is in contempt of the Court of Appeal judgment that acquitted me. I was never examined by any medical team, and no samples were taken from me. The report before this court is forged.”
Responding, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) argued that Kanu’s oral claims carried no legal weight since they were not backed by a sworn affidavit. He added that the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, had already nullified the Court of Appeal judgment which Kanu relied upon.
“The judgment that discharged him has been set aside by the Supreme Court,” Awomolo said. He further faulted Kanu’s accusation of forgery, noting that his former legal team had earlier reviewed the medical report and raised no objection.
Justice Omotosho intervened, recalling that the same medical report had been discussed in court on October 16, with both parties raising no objections at the time. He stated that the court had already made rulings based on the report and could not reverse them.
The judge reminded Kanu that he had previously ruled on September 26 that there was a case for him to answer, giving him an opportunity to present his defence in line with the constitutional right to fair hearing. He also noted that he had earlier allowed Kanu and his lawyers several hours of private consultation to prepare for the case.
When asked again to proceed with his defence, Kanu requested more time, saying, “I have not had enough time to prepare. I only had three hours yesterday in this courtroom. Section 36 of the Constitution allows me to be given adequate facilities to defend myself. My lord, I need time.”
The prosecution did not oppose the request, prompting the judge to adjourn the case until Friday, October 24, for Kanu to begin his defence.
Justice Omotosho urged the IPOB leader to make good use of the opportunity to defend himself, saying, “I beg the defendant, in the name of the Almighty God, to comport himself and make use of his constitutional right. This is his chance to tell his own side of the story.”