Former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi (SAN), has officially withdrawn from the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
During Thursday’s court session, Agabi informed Justice James Omotosho that Kanu had opted to personally handle his own defence, indicating that the legal team’s services were no longer required.
He further announced that all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) representing Kanu were also stepping down from the case, naming Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba among those who had withdrawn their appearances.
Confirming the development in court, Nnamdi Kanu told the judge he would be representing himself “for now,” although he might reconsider later. When Justice Omotosho asked whether the court should assign a lawyer to him, Kanu declined the offer.
After the announcement, the court ordered all remaining members of Kanu’s defence team, except the SANs who had already withdrawn, to vacate the courtroom. The judge then directed the defendant to open his defence.
However, Kanu, arguing orally, contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him. His argument was overruled by Justice Omotosho, who insisted that proceedings must continue as scheduled.
Following a brief intervention by one of the withdrawing lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who pleaded that Kanu be granted time to compose himself, the court adjourned the matter till Friday, October 24, for the defendant to begin his defence.
In a motion personally filed on Tuesday, Kanu informed the court of his readiness to proceed with his defence and requested 90 days to conclude it, citing the number and significance of witnesses he plans to call.
He divided his witnesses into two categories, “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses”, the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among those listed as compellable witnesses are former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and Minister of Works Dave Umahi.
Others include former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), former National Intelligence Agency Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and Yusuf Magaji Bichi, immediate past Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kanu also assured the court he would provide sworn statements from voluntary witnesses, emphasiisng his commitment to ensure that “justice is not only done but seen to be done.”
The withdrawal of Kanu’s legal team coincides with the arrest of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who were part of a protest in Abuja demanding his release. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance, and ordered remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre until October 24 for arraignment.
Kanu is facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, filed by the Federal Government. He was first arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, and fled the country before being rearrested and extradited to Nigeria in 2021.
He has since remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) while his trial continues under Justice Omotosho’s court.
