Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, dismissed his entire legal team on Thursday and challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to continue hearing his long-running terrorism trial.
Kanu, who has been facing charges since 2015, was expected to open his defence, but the day’s proceedings took an unexpected turn when his lawyers abruptly announced their withdrawal.
His lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that the decision was made at Kanu’s request.
“We are withdrawing because the defendant has taken this case back from us, and we respect that,” Agabi said.
Following his statement, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the defence team — including Onyechi Ikpeazu, Paul Erokoro, and Emeka Etiaba—formally withdrew from the case.
Confirming the move, Kanu told the court he would represent himself “for now,” though he might consider hiring new counsel later. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, asked if the court should assign a lawyer to him, but Kanu declined.
Moments later, he orally argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try him — a position the judge rejected, insisting that the trial must proceed. The self-representation prompted Justice Omotosho to direct all other defence lawyers, except the withdrawing Senior Advocates, to leave the courtroom.
After a plea from Ikpeazu for a short adjournment, the court deferred proceedings until Friday for the continuation of Kanu’s defence.
Kanu faces seven counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including allegations of terrorism financing, incitement, and operating a proscribed organisation.
He was first arrested in October 2015, granted bail in 2017, and later fled Nigeria following a military operation in Abia State. He was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria.
The case has seen a series of legal twists. In 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged Kanu, ruling that his extraordinary rendition from Kenya stripped the trial court of jurisdiction. But the Supreme Court overturned that decision in December 2023, holding that while the rendition was illegal, it did not invalidate the charges.
In a fresh motion dated October 20, 2025, and personally signed by Kanu, he listed 23 witnesses — including high-profile political and military figures — whom he intends to call in his defence.
Among them are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of Works, David Umahi; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.); and former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.).
Others named include Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi.
Kanu invoked Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011, to compel their appearance, and requested 90 days to complete his defence.
“I will testify on my own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of my statements and actions,” he said.
“It will interest the honourable court and the public that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to have been done.”
