Lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi, has applied to withdraw from representing the detained IPOB leader, stating that the defendant had taken the case back from them.
Agabi stated that the defendant has opted to defend himself in the case during the Thursday court session.
Kanu himself acknowledged in court that all of the defence team’s senior lawyers of Nigeria (SAN) have likewise withdrew from the trial.
Nnamdi Kanu informed the court that he would be defending himself for the time being but that he might later want to hire an attorney. He turned down the judge’s offer to be given legal representation.
Kanu defended himself orally, claiming the court did not have the authority to try him.
Nnamdi Kanu was initially detained in 2015, but after being released on bond in 2017, he left the nation. The Department of State Services (DSS) has been holding him ever since he was arrested again in 2021.
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The federal government has persisted in its accusations against Kanu, accusing the separatist of instigating violence through IPOB’s actions and advocating for the southeast area to secede from Nigeria.
Nnamdi Kanu stated in a fresh plea submitted to the federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday that he is ready to move forward with his defence in the current trial, which involves accusations of terrorism and treason.
Kanu told the court in the submission that he planned to bring two types of witnesses: “vital and compellable” witnesses, who would be called under section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011, and “ordinary but material witnesses.”
Among those listed as “vital and compellable” witnesses are Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor; Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state; and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Citing the amount of witnesses and type of evidence he plans to submit, the IPOB leader also requested that the court give him ninety days to wrap up his case.
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