A dramatic twist unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, as Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), announced that he would personally handle his own defense after his lawyers formally withdrew from the case.
The lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that his team could no longer continue with the proceedings, explaining that the defendant had decided to take over his legal representation. Following Agabi’s notice, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Kanu’s defense team also pulled out of the matter.
When asked by the trial judge whether he would like a new lawyer assigned to him, Kanu declined, stating that he preferred to represent himself “for now.”
Speaking directly to the court, Kanu insisted that the charges against him were invalid, maintaining that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
The development marks a major shift in the long-running trial of the separatist leader, who has faced multiple charges related to alleged terrorism and incitement.
