The ongoing terrorism trial of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, took a dramatic turn on Thursday following the sudden dismissal of his entire legal team, a move that stalled the scheduled commencement of his defence before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
When the case was called, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) who had been leading the defence announced to Justice James Omotosho that he, along with several other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, would no longer be representing Kanu.
Agabi explained that the decision was made “because the defendant has taken the case back from us, and we respect that.”
Those who withdrew alongside him included Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN), and one other senior counsel.
Following the announcement, Justice Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was seated in the dock, to confirm the development. The IPOB leader affirmed that he had indeed discharged his lawyers and declared that he was prepared to conduct his defence personally.
The judge then directed all other members of the defence team present in court except the SANs to vacate the courtroom. He subsequently invited Kanu to open his defence.
Kanu, however, began by challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue the proceedings. Justice Omotosho swiftly overruled him, insisting that the trial must go on.
At that point, Ikpeazu (SAN) intervened to clarify that the defence team’s withdrawal had only taken effect that morning. He pleaded with the court to grant the defendant time to “gather his thoughts and prepare himself” for the task ahead.
The prosecution did not object to the request. Consequently, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Friday, October 24, to allow Kanu to compose himself and begin his defence.
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