Lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday, withdrew his legal representation in Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, Agabi informed the court that his legal team would no longer represent Kanu, explaining that the defendant had decided to take over the case personally.
Following his announcement, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) involved in the defence also declared their withdrawal from the matter.
Confirming the development, Kanu told Justice James Omotosho that he would be representing himself “for now,” though he added that his decision could change later.
When asked by the presiding judge whether the court should assign a lawyer to him, the IPOB leader declined, opting to proceed without counsel.
Opening his defence, Kanu challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to continue his trial on terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Omotosho had, on October 16, granted the IPOB leader six consecutive days — beginning October 23 — to open and close his defence, following the court’s earlier order for accelerated hearing.
The embattled separatist leader had previously listed several high-profile individuals as potential witnesses, including former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); and former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), among others.
Kanu is currently standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.
More to come…
