Lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Kanu Agabi, on Thursday, applied to withdraw his representation in the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
This followed the sudden sacking of his legal team on Thursday, the planned commencement of his defence by detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been stalled.
Kanu, who is facing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, filed against him by the Federal Government, was scheduled to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial.
When the matter was called on Thursday, Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that he would no longer be representing the IPoB leader, adding that the defendant had decided to take back the case from them.
When the case was called, Agabi, who had led Kanu’s legal team until Thursday, announced his decision, along with other SANs on the team to withdraw from the case.
He explained that the reason for their withdrawal ‘is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that’.
He named the other SANs withdrawing as Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba (all SANs), and one other.
Justice James Omotosho then turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.
Kanu confirmed sacking all his lawyers and told the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his case by himself.
Justice Omotosho asked whether he should assign a lawyer to represent him, but he (Kanu) declined.
He directed other members of the defendant’s legal team who were in court, except the SANs, to vacate the courtroom immediately.
The judge then turned to the defendant and asked him to open his case.
Addressing the court orally to open his defence, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him.
Kanu commenced arguing about the jurisdiction of the court to further conduct his trial but was subsequently overruled by the judge, who insisted that he must proceed with his defence.
At that point, Ikpeazu intervened and drew the court’s attention to the fact that their (Kanu’s lawyers’) withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.
He prayed the court to grant Kanu some time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.
The prosecuting lawyer did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned the case till Friday, October 24, for Kanu to open his defence.
On 16 October, Justice Omotosho granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning from 23 October (today), to open and close his defence in view of the accelerated hearing earlier granted in the case.
Kanu had listed former Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; a former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd. ); a former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd. ), and others as his witnesses.
