Agabi, SAN, Withdraws As Nnamdi Kanu’s Counsel As IPOB Leader Opts For Self-Representation

*As Court Fixes Friday For Nnamdi Kanu To Open Defence To FG’s Terrorism Charge

A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, has formally withdrawn his appearance for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who has elected to personally conduct his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Agabi, who had previously led Kanu’s defence team, announced his withdrawal when the case resumed before Justice James Omotosho on Thursday. He informed the court that Kanu had taken back his case file from him and other senior members of the legal team.

Confirming the development from the dock, Kanu told the court that he would henceforth represent himself. He also declined Justice Omotosho’s offer to assign him a lawyer.

Following Kanu’s confirmation, the trial judge ordered all lawyers who had earlier announced appearances for the defendant to vacate the courtroom, allowing only senior advocates to remain.

With the lawyers’ exit, the judge directed Kanu to proceed with his defence.

In his first submission as his own counsel, Kanu challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the seven-count terrorism-related charge filed by the Federal Government.

Although Justice Omotosho overruled the objection and insisted that the trial proceed, one of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria present in court, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, intervened, urging the court to grant Kanu a brief adjournment to enable him to prepare for self-representation, given the sudden withdrawal of his legal team earlier that morning.

The request was not opposed by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, prompting the court to adjourn the matter till Friday for Kanu to open his defence.

Kanu Seeks 90 Days to Call 23 Witnesses

It will be recalled that Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, had in a motion he personally signed and filed before the court, listed 23 witnesses he intends to call to prove his innocence. The list includes serving governors, ministers, former governors, and security chiefs, whom he described as vital and compellable witnesses in his defence.

He is urging the court to grant him 90 days to open and conclude his case, explaining that the previously allotted six-day period was insufficient given the number and high-profile status of the witnesses he plans to call.

Among the proposed witnesses are the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN; and a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).

Others include the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.

In the motion dated October 21, 2025, and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu also indicated that he might call additional witnesses not listed in the initial filing.

He urged the court to issue a subpoena compelling the attendance of all proposed witnesses, maintaining that their testimonies would establish his innocence in the terrorism charges brought against him.

The court has fixed Friday for Kanu to formally begin his defence. His self-representation marks a dramatic turn in a high-profile case that has spanned several years and continues to draw national and international attention.

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