The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, surprised the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday by announcing that he would defend himself after his entire legal team withdrew from the case.
Lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that he and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria representing Kanu had applied to withdraw from the case, stating that the defendant had decided to “take the case back from them.”
Confirming the move, Kanu declared in court, “I will be representing myself for now,” adding that the arrangement “might change later.”
When asked by the presiding judge if he wanted the court to assign a new lawyer, Kanu declined the offer and chose to proceed on his own.
Arguing orally, the IPOB leader challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue the trial.
The latest twist adds a new layer of uncertainty to the long-running case against Kanu, who faces multiple charges including treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences.
