THE detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has opted to represent himself in court after his entire team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), led by Kanu Agabi, withdrew from his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court today that the withdrawal followed the defendant’s decision to personally take over his defence.
Confirming the development in court, Kanu stated that he would be representing himself for now, though he may decide otherwise later.
When asked by the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, if he wanted the court to assign him a new lawyer, Kanu declined the offer.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, Agabi said, “A number of voices have been defending Nnamdi, and he has decided to conduct his defence by himself. He has the right to do so, and we respect that decision and wish him well.”
The court session, which was expected to mark the opening of Kanu’s defence in the Federal Government’s terrorism case against him, took an unexpected turn following the lawyers’ withdrawal.
Justice Omotosho ordered all other members of Kanu’s legal team, apart from the SANs, to leave the courtroom after the announcement.
Kanu began his oral defence by arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him—a claim the judge overruled.
At the request of one of the withdrawing lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the court granted Kanu time to compose himself and prepare to continue his defence.
The trial was subsequently adjourned to Friday, October 24.
In a motion filed earlier in the week, Kanu informed the court of his readiness to begin his defence and his plan to call 23 witnesses, including what he described as “ordinary but material” witnesses and “vital and compellable” witnesses to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among the individuals Kanu listed as witnesses are former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Kanu stated that he would testify on his own behalf to “deny the allegations” and “explain the political context” of his actions and statements. He also assured the court that his defence would proceed efficiently and without unnecessary delays.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others for allegedly protesting against his continued detention.
The defendants were charged with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, and public disturbance.
They were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending arraignment on October 24.