Nnamdi Kanu Opts To Defend Himself As His Lawyers Withdraw From Case

 

At the court session on Thursday, lead counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi, SAN, stunned the courtroom by announcing his withdrawal, along with other prominent Senior Advocates including Onyekachi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba. Agabi explained that the decision followed Kanu’s insistence on taking back control of his case.

Kanu told the court that he would be representing himself for now, but that he may decide to get a lawyer later. When the judge asked if he should be assigned a lawyer, he declined the offer.

Defending himself orally, Kanu argued that the court lacks the jurisdiction to try him.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country after being granted bail in 2017. He was later re-arrested in 2021 and has since remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The federal government has maintained its charges against Kanu, accusing the separatist of inciting violence through IPOB’s activities and calling for the secession of the south-east region from Nigeria.

In a new application filed before the federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday, Kanu said he is prepared to proceed with his defence in the ongoing trial, which borders on treasonable felony and terrorism charges.

In the filing, Kanu informed the court that he intends to call two categories of witnesses — those described as “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses, who he said would be summoned under section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

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).

Others named include Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia state; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation; Ahmed Rufai, immediate past director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Yusuf Bichi, former director-general of the DSS; and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DSS DG.

The IPOB leader also asked the court to grant him 90 days to conclude his defence, citing the number of witnesses and the nature of evidence he intends to present.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing of his terrorism trial, the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has challenged the jurisdiction of the federal high court to continue his trial.

The development followed the withdrawal of all Senior Advocates representing the defendant from the matter.

Nnamdi Kanu in his oral presentation before the court, alleged that the court of appeal has discharged him in his verdict.

Nnamdi kanu by the order of the court is expected to open his defence this thursday.

The presiding judge, justice James Omotosho ruled that the defendant should open his defence as jurisdictional issues and all others can be challenged at the court of appeal or included in his final written address.

The court  therefore adjourned the matter till 24th october, 2025 for the defendant  to commence his defence. Kanu had earlier listed 23 witnesses  to testify in his matter.

Nnamdi kanu is facing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism.