Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu G. Agabi (SAN), who also serves as lead counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has debunked claims that he was denied access to his client by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a letter dated May 16 and addressed to Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to the DSS in the ongoing trial, Agabi described media reports suggesting that the DSS blocked him from seeing Kanu as false and misleading.
“I take this opportunity to refute the allegation that they (DSS) denied me access to the defendant. This is not so at all,” he clarified in the letter.
Speaking on the long-standing legal proceedings, Agabi expressed concern over the decade-long trial of the IPOB leader and emphasized the need for closure. “This charge has been hanging over the head of the defendant for 10 years now. It has to be brought to an end,” he stated.
While acknowledging errors made during the case, Agabi offered a heartfelt apology: “I apologise for the mistakes that I have made in the conduct of this case so far. I also apologise for whoever is responsible for the false reports in the social and other media.”
He reaffirmed the defense team’s commitment to professionalism and national service, stressing that their involvement is not about political allegiance but a fulfillment of their duty to the legal profession and the pursuit of peace in Nigeria.
“We are in this case defending vigorously and prayerfully as we ought to. This is our service to the nation. This is our service to the defendant. This is our service to the Lord,” Agabi declared.
The senior lawyer also praised the trial judge, the prosecution, and the DSS for the cooperation and fairness exhibited thus far, reiterating that access to his client has never been obstructed.
Agabi’s statement comes amid heightened public interest and polarized narratives surrounding the high-profile case, which continues at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
