Former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi (SAN), on Thursday applied to withdraw from representing him in the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is currently facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, filed by the Federal Government.
When the case was called on Thursday, Agabi informed the court that he and his legal team would no longer be representing Kanu, explaining that the defendant had taken back the case. Following his announcement, all the other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) involved in Kanu’s defence formally withdrew from the case.
Confirming the development, Kanu told the court he would represent himself for the time being, although he noted that his position might change later.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, asked whether the court should assign a lawyer to him, but Kanu declined the offer.
It will be recalled that on October 16, Justice Omotosho granted Kanu six consecutive days beginning October 23 to open and close his defence, following an earlier directive for an accelerated hearing.
Kanu had previously listed several prominent Nigerians, including former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami; FCT Minister 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, as witnesses in his defence.