Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers withdraw from case

Kanu Agabi, Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, applied on Thursday, October 23, 2023, to withdraw from representing the detained defendant in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu is facing a seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government. During Thursday’s hearing, Agabi informed the court that he would no longer represent Kanu, stating that the defendant had decided to take back control of the case. All other Senior Advocates of Nigeria involved in the trial also announced their withdrawal.

Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he would represent himself for the time being, while noting that the arrangement could change in the future. Justice James Omotosho offered to assign a lawyer to Kanu, but the defendant declined.

Kanu, in orally opening his defence, argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him. Previously, on October 16, Justice Omotosho had granted Kanu six consecutive days, beginning October 23, to open and close his defence, in line with the accelerated hearing schedule.

Earlier, Kanu had listed several high-profile figures as witnesses, including former Attorney-General 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 Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), and former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), among others.

More details are expected to follow as the trial progresses.