Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who served as lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has officially withdrawn from representing him in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is currently standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, filed by the Federal Government.
During Thursday’s court session, Agabi informed the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, that he and his legal team would no longer be representing the IPOB leader, stating that the decision came at the request of the defendant.
He said the defendant “has decided to take back the case from us,” signalling his withdrawal from further representation.
Following Agabi’s announcement, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who were part of the defence team also declared their withdrawal from the matter.
Confirming the development, Nnamdi Kanu told the court that he had chosen to represent himself for the time being, though he noted that the situation could change in the future.
Justice Omotosho then asked the defendant whether he should assign a lawyer to represent him, but Kanu declined the offer.
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While addressing the court to open his defence, the IPOB leader maintained that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to try him.
Justice Omotosho had earlier, on October 16, granted Kanu six consecutive days—beginning October 23—to open and conclude his defence, following an application for an accelerated hearing.
In his witness list, Kanu included several prominent figures such as 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.