Kanu announced his decision to represent himself in the case filed against him by the Federal Government.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has opened his defence on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after unexpectedly dismissing his team of lawyers.
Kanu, who had been scheduled to begin his defence the same day, shocked the court when he announced his decision to represent himself in the case filed against him by the Federal Government.
His lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN), consequently informed the court that he and other Senior Advocates in the team were withdrawing from the matter.
“The reason for our withdrawal is because the defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect that,” Agabi told the court.
Other Senior Advocates who withdrew from the case include Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba, and one other.
Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, turned to Kanu, who confirmed that he had dismissed all his lawyers and was prepared to conduct his defence personally.
Justice Omotosho then directed all other members of the defence team, except the Senior Advocates, to vacate the courtroom before asking Kanu to open his defence.
Kanu began by questioning the jurisdiction of the court to continue hearing his case, but the judge overruled him and ordered him to proceed.
The development came after one of his former lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu, pleaded for time to allow Kanu compose himself for self-representation, noting that the withdrawal only took effect Thursday morning.
The prosecution did not oppose the request, prompting Justice Omotosho to adjourn the continuation of Kanu’s defence to Friday, October 24, 2025.