Former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday withdrew from representing the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government. When the case was called, Agabi informed the court that he and his legal team were withdrawing from the matter, explaining that the defendant had decided to take over his own defense.
All other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) previously involved in the case also announced their withdrawal.
Confirming the development, Kanu told the court he would represent himself for now but might reconsider later. Justice James Omotosho offered to assign him a lawyer, but Kanu declined, insisting the court lacked jurisdiction to try him.
Justice Omotosho had earlier, on October 16, granted Kanu six consecutive days—starting October 23—to open and close his defence as part of the accelerated hearing of the case.
