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BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Defends Self In Court As Legal Team Withdraws From Trial
Agabi, who has been leading Kanu’s defence, formally applied to withdraw his representation, informing the court that the defendant had decided to take over the conduct of his case.
Abuja, Nigeria– The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, stunned the Federal High Court in Abuja by announcing that he would represent himself in his ongoing terrorism trial after his team of lawyers, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kanu Agabi, withdrew from the case.
Agabi, who has been leading Kanu’s defence, formally applied to withdraw his representation, informing the court that the defendant had decided to take over the conduct of his case.
Following his withdrawal, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the defence team also pulled out.
Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he had taken full control of his defence and would be representing himself for now.
When asked by the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, whether he wished for the court to assign him a lawyer, Kanu declined the offer.
Defending himself orally, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him, insisting that his continued detention and trial were unlawful.
The IPOB leader returned to court to open his defence in the terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
The case, presided over by Justice Omotosho, resumed amid tight security at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kanu had previously revealed his list of proposed witnesses, which includes several high-profile individuals such as former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), and former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), among others.