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Nnamdi Kanu to Represent Himself as Lawyers Withdraw from IPOB Leader’s Trial
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has taken over his own defence after his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, withdrew from the case. Kanu seeks to summon 23 top officials, including governors and ministers, as witnesses in his terrorism trial.
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has opted to represent himself in court after his lead counsel, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, formally withdrew from the case.
Agabi, who had been leading Kanu’s defence team, announced his withdrawal during Thursday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He informed the court that Kanu had decided to personally handle his defence and had taken possession of his case files from him and other members of the legal team.
Confirming the development from the dock, Kanu told the court that he would henceforth represent himself. He also declined the offer by the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, to have a lawyer appointed to assist him.
In his first submission as his own counsel, Kanu challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the seven-count terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, recently filed a motion he personally signed, seeking the court’s permission to summon 23 witnesses, including serving and former top government officials, to testify on his behalf.
Among those listed as witnesses are the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
Others include Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former DSS Director-General, Yusuf Bichi.
Kanu, in his motion dated October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, described these individuals as “vital and compellable witnesses” and requested a 90-day period to open and conclude his defence.
He argued that the initial six-day window granted by the court was insufficient given the number and stature of the witnesses he intends to call. Kanu also asked the court to issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of all witnesses whose testimonies, he said, would prove his innocence.
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