The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he would be representing himself following the withdrawal of his entire legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kanu Agabi.
Agabi and other members of the defence team announced their withdrawal from the case, stating that Kanu had “taken the case back from them.” The withdrawal marked a major shift in the high-profile trial, which has drawn national and international attention.
Confirming the development in open court, Kanu told the presiding judge that he would act as his own counsel “for now,” although he indicated that the decision could change at a later stage.
When asked by the trial judge if he would like the court to assign him a lawyer, Kanu declined the offer, insisting that he was capable of handling his defence independently.
Defending himself orally, the IPOB leader argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to continue his trial, maintaining his long-held stance that his prosecution was unlawful.
Okay News reports that the development follows a series of tense proceedings in Kanu’s terrorism-related case, which has seen several twists since his rearrest and extradition to Nigeria. The case has also drawn public debate over the implications of Kanu’s self-representation and the withdrawal of top lawyers from the matter.
The court proceedings are expected to continue as the judge considers Kanu’s submissions and the next steps in the ongoing trial.
