By Adesina Soyooye
When detained, and embattled, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, hired fiery senior Lawyer and Activist, Professor Mike Ozekhome, as his lead Counsel, not a few people thought that would be Kanu’s last bus stop with Lead Counsels – especially, when Ozekhome secured a number of landmark victories for him.
It was not really quite public why Ozekhome ceased to be on Kanu’s legal team – whether he quit on his own or whether Kanu, who has a huge temper when he is angry, fired him. But Ozekhome dropped.
Before Ozekhome, there was Ifeanyi Ejiofor who had been with Kanu for a long time. When Ozekhome came on board, Ejiofor, young, bubbling with youthful zest, made way for him. He dropped to number two, while Ozekhome took the number one spot. But there was always another Counsel, American-trained Alloy Ejimakor, who, literally, adores Kanu. He was always lurking behind the scene, like a mother-hen. He was usually referred to as Kanu’s Special Counsel.
However, when Ozekhome disappeared from the scene, and Ejiofor, sadly, fell out with IPOB and, it was alleged, Kanu’s family too, Ejimakor emerged, and took charge as Kanu’s Lead Counsel.
A couple of weeks ago, after Kanu lost it in Court and attacked, verbally, using choice words, the Federal High Court, the trial Judge, Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, Government Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and even his own legal team, his family, in a statement, let it be known that Kanu would from then on, defend himself in Court; that he needed no Legal Counsel anymore.
However, a couple of days ago, it was all over the Social Media that respected Senior Lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, has been hired by Kanu to be his Lead Counsel. Many doubted that; they thought it was one of those stories.
But on March 21, when Kanu appeared before a new trial Judge, the Honourable Justice James Omotosho, because Justice Nyako has recused herself, Agabi appeared for Kanu as his Lead Counsel. If that appearance surprised many because of Agabi’s status – a very senior Lawyer, two-time Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, they were in for a bigger surprise.
Agabi began by saying he had a message for the Court from his Client. As everybody wondered what Kanu was up to again, Agabi threw what seemed unbelievable, considering it came from Kanu.
Reading from a prepared speech, which dripped with emotion, Agabi said he had Kanu’s permission to apologise to the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice Nyako, Govenment Lawyer, Awomolo, and his (Kanu’s) own Legal team, all whom he thoroughly insulted during his last appearance before Nyako. He said he was sorry. He pleaded for forgiveness. And promised to be of good conduct, going forward.
While many wondered what came over the IPOB Leader, his wife, Lolo Uchechi Kanu, endorsed the apology her husband tendered in Court.
In a statement which she personally signed, she explained that Agabi, given his stature, was brought in to smoothen the rough adges for her husband. “Chief Agabi, stepping into Onyendu’s brief, acted to smooth over the ruffled feathers in certain segments of the Bar and Bench caused by Onyendu’s legitimate, anger-fueled outbursts against Justice Binta Nyako’s Court which led to her recusal”, she said. She added that Agabi status demanded that he addresses her husband’s outbursts which shook the Nigerian Judiciary.
Her statement read in full: “In Court today, my husband, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, acknowledged the necessity for Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, the new Lead Counsel, to address the Court of Justice James Omotosho regarding what transpired at Binta Nyako’s Court which shook the foundations of the Nigerian Judiciary.
“These clarifications were duly delivered by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN – a towering figure, twice Attorney General, twice Minister of Justice, and a former Senator.
“Chief Agabi, stepping into Onyendu’s brief acted to smooth over the ruffled feathers in certain segments of the bar and bench caused by Onyendu’s legitimate anger-fueled outbursts against Justice Binta Nyako’s Court which led to her recusal.
“Chief Kanu Agabi’s status made it necessary; he could not represent Onyendu without restoring the decorum expected of the Abuja Bench and the Judiciary as a whole.
“Remarkably, Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, also apologised to Onyendu for the prolonged delays and mishandling of his trial over the years at the hands of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“Chief Agabi’s intervention was strategic, balancing Onyendu’s fury with the dignity of the Court.
“I suggest we read the full speech before offering comments. Chief Agabi spoke in his own personal capacity, and his vision for an amicable resolution (dialogue) and peaceful co-existence. It is not rocket science.”
Nnamdi Kanu’s trial has been on since 2021 when he was renditioned from Nairobi, Kenya, to Abuja, Nigeria. He is facing a number of charges including treasonable felony.
Many Nigerians and groups have urged for a peaceful and political solution to Kanu’s issue. None has worked. Perhaps, Agabi’s approach could pull it, especially, now that Kanu’s wife is preaching “amicable resolution, dialogue and peaceful coexistence”.
