Former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday withdrew from representing the separatist leader in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is currently facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism filed by the Federal Government.
When the case was called, Agabi informed the court that he and his team would no longer be representing the defendant, stating that Kanu had decided to take over his defence.
Following Agabi’s announcement, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria involved in the matter also formally withdrew their appearances.
Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he would represent himself for now but might reconsider the decision later.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, asked whether the court should assign a lawyer to the defendant, but Kanu declined the offer.
Moving to open his defence, Kanu argued orally that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him.
Justice Omotosho had earlier granted the IPOB leader six consecutive days, starting from October 23, to open and close his defence as part of the accelerated hearing previously ordered in the case.
Kanu had also listed several prominent figures—including former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami; FCT Minister 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)—as witnesses he intends to call in his defence.
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