The lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday formally withdrew his legal representation from the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Agabi, who has been leading Kanu’s defence team, informed Justice James Omotosho that he and other members of the legal team would no longer be representing the IPOB leader, explaining that the defendant had decided to take over the conduct of his case.
Following Agabi’s announcement, all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) previously involved in Kanu’s defence also withdrew their appearance.
Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he had chosen to represent himself for now, though he might reconsider that position later.
When Justice Omotosho asked whether he should assign a lawyer to assist him, the IPOB leader declined, insisting he would proceed on his own.
Kanu, who is standing trial on seven counts of terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government, further argued orally before the court that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain his case.
The development came on the same day the defendant was scheduled to open his defence.
Justice Omotosho had, on October 16, granted Kanu six consecutive hearing days, beginning October 23, to open and close his case as part of an accelerated hearing schedule.
Earlier filings by the IPOB leader listed several prominent Nigerians 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.
Detail shortly…
