A former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday, formally withdrew from representing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is currently facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, filed against him by the Federal Government. When the case came up for hearing, Agabi informed the court that his legal team would no longer appear for the defendant, noting that Kanu had decided to take over the matter personally.
Following Agabi’s announcement, all the other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on the defence team also declared their withdrawal from the case. Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he would represent himself for the time being, though he indicated that the arrangement could change later.
Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, inquired whether the court should assign a counsel to the defendant, but Kanu declined the offer. During the proceedings, Kanu argued orally that the court lacked the jurisdiction to continue his trial. Justice Omotosho had earlier, on October 16, granted the defendant six consecutive days — starting from October 23 — to open and close his defence, following an application for an accelerated hearing.
