ABUJA: Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he would henceforth represent himself in his ongoing terrorism trial, following the withdrawal of his team of senior lawyers led by Kanu Agabi (SAN).
All the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Kanu’s legal team formally withdrew from the case during Thursday’s proceedings, confirming that the IPOB leader had taken over his own defense.
When asked by the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, if he wanted a new lawyer assigned to him, Kanu declined, stating that he would handle his defense personally for now, though the decision may change later.
Kanu, defending himself orally, immediately challenged the jurisdiction of the court to continue with the case a submission that was overruled by Justice Omotosho, who ordered him to proceed with his defense.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, Kanu’s former lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), confirmed that the decision was mutual and that his client had the right to conduct his own defense.
A number of voices have been defending Nnamdi, and he has decided to conduct his defense by himself. He has the right to do so, and we respect that decision, Agabi said.
Agabi named the other SANs who withdrew from the case as Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba, and one other.
Following their withdrawal, Justice Omotosho directed other non-SAN members of the defense team present in court to vacate the courtroom immediately.
After a brief argument on whether Kanu was ready to open his defence, Ikpeazu (SAN) pleaded for an adjournment to allow Kanu to gather his thoughts and compose himself” following the sudden change in legal representation.
The prosecution did not object, leading the court to adjourn the matter till Friday, October 24, 2025, for continuation.
In a motion personally filed on Tuesday, Kanu informed the court that he intended to call 23 witnesses in his defense, grouped into two categories ordinary but material witnesses and “vital and compellable witnesses.
He also sought a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defense and expressed readiness to testify personally to deny the allegations and explain the political context of his actions.
Among those listed as compellable witnesses are former Defense Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Army Chief Gen.
Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Others include former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN), former NIA Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and DSS Director-General Yusuf Magaji Bichi, among others.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a Magistrate Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who were arrested during a protest against Kanu’s continued detention.
They were charged with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace offences contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The magistrate ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 24 for arraignment.
