There was a twist on Thursday in the trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) representing him withdrew from the case.
Lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Kanu had taken the case back from them, prompting the entire defence team to step down.
Confirming the development, Kanu informed the court that he would now represent himself, at least for the time being.
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When asked by the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, whether he wanted a lawyer to be assigned to him, Kanu declined, saying he would conduct his own defence.
Arguing orally, the IPOB leader maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him in the terrorism case filed by the Federal Government.
The matter, which came up for the opening of Kanu’s defence, has been before Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In his list of proposed witnesses, Kanu had named former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.); and former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), among others.
The case was adjourned for continuation of proceedings.
