Court Orders Kanu to Open Defence Friday After Dismissing Own Legal Team
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, till Friday, to enable him begin his defence after he dismissed his entire legal team in dramatic fashion.
Kanu, who was scheduled to open his defence on Thursday in the ongoing terrorism trial, stunned the court by announcing that he had relieved his lawyers of their duties and intended to conduct his case personally.
When the matter was called, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN)—who had been leading the defence—formally informed the court of the decision of the legal team to withdraw from the case.
According to Agabi, the decision followed Kanu’s choice to take over his defence.
“My Lord, the reason for our withdrawal is simple: the defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect that decision,” he told the court.
Agabi also listed other Senior Advocates of Nigeria withdrawing from the case as Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN), and one other counsel.
Following the announcement, Justice James Omotosho asked Kanu to confirm the statement.
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Kanu, who appeared calm in the dock, confirmed the development and told the court he was ready to represent himself.
“I have disengaged my lawyers. I am ready and willing to conduct my own defence,” he declared.
The judge thereafter directed all other members of the former defence team, except the Senior Advocates, to vacate the courtroom and subsequently asked Kanu to open his defence.
However, when invited to begin, Kanu first challenged the jurisdiction of the court to continue with the trial—a move that was immediately overruled by Justice Omotosho, who insisted he should proceed with his defence.
At that point, Mr. Ikpeazu (SAN) briefly intervened, notifying the court that the defence team’s withdrawal had only taken effect that morning. He therefore prayed the court to grant the defendant some time to “gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.”
The prosecution team did not object to the request.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Friday, October 24, 2025, to allow Kanu to prepare and open his defence.
Kanu is standing trial on multiple counts bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement related to his activities as leader of the IPOB, which was outlawed by the Federal Government in 2017.
By PRNigeria
