The lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has formally withdrawn from representing him in his ongoing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Agabi announced on Thursday, informing the court that his legal team was stepping down after Kanu decided to personally take charge of his defence.
Following Agabi’s decision, all other Senior Advocates on the defence team — including Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN), and one other — also withdrew their appearances from the case.
Agabi told the court that the withdrawal became necessary because “the defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect that.”
When the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, sought clarification from Kanu, the IPOB leader confirmed that he had indeed dismissed his entire legal team, insisting that he would represent himself “for now.”
Asked if he wanted the court to assign him a new lawyer, Kanu declined, stating that he preferred to proceed on his own, though he hinted the arrangement might change later.
Following the development, the scheduled commencement of Kanu’s defence in his terrorism trial was stalled. The defendant was expected to open his case on Thursday but requested time to prepare after the withdrawal of his lawyers.
The prosecution did not object, and Justice Omotosho consequently adjourned the matter till Friday, October 24, to enable Kanu to gather his thoughts and prepare to begin his defence.
