A federal high court sitting in Abuja on Thursday witnessed a dramatic turn in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as he declined the judge’s offer to assign him another lawyer, insisting he would represent himself.
The development came after his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and other members of his legal team announced their withdrawal from the case. Agabi told the court that the decision was based on Kanu’s choice to take over his own defence. “The defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect that,” Agabi said.
Following the withdrawal, other senior advocates, including Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba, also formally stepped down from representing the IPOB leader. The mass withdrawal effectively left Kanu without legal representation.
When the presiding judge asked Kanu if the court should assign a new lawyer to assist him, he declined the offer. The defendant informed the court that he was prepared to conduct his own defence, at least for now. His decision was received with surprise in the courtroom, marking another twist in a case that has spanned several years.
After confirming his decision, the judge directed Kanu to open his defence. However, the IPOB leader immediately began challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue with his trial, an argument the judge overruled, maintaining that proceedings must continue.
At that point, Onyechi Ikpeazu, who acknowledged that he and his colleagues were no longer representing Kanu, appealed to the court to grant the defendant some time to compose himself and prepare for his self-defence.
The prosecution did not object to the plea, prompting the presiding judge, Justice Omotosho, to adjourn the case to Friday, October 24, to allow Kanu to open his defence.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country after being granted bail in 2017. He was later re-arrested in 2021 and has since remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). The federal government continues to accuse him of inciting violence and calling for the secession of the South-East region through IPOB’s activities.
