Kanu Agabi, former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, applied to withdraw his legal representation in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is currently facing a seven-count charge related to terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.
When the case was called on Thursday, Agabi informed the court that he would no longer represent the IPOB leader, explaining that the defendant had chosen to take back the case from them.
Similarly, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria involved in the matter also announced their withdrawal from the defence team.
Kanu, confirming the situation, told the court that he would represent himself for now but noted that the decision could change later.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, asked whether a lawyer should be assigned to represent him, but the defendant declined.
Meanwhile, addressing the court orally to begin his defence, Kanu argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try him.
Recall that Justice Omotosho, on October 16, granted the defendant six consecutive days, starting from October 23, to open and conclude his defence in line with the accelerated hearing earlier approved for the case.
Kanu had listed former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), and others as part of his witnesses.
More details later…
