KEY POINTS

• Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team led by Kanu Agabi withdraws from his defence.

• Kanu to represent himself in court on terrorism-related charges.

• The focus keyphrase defines his self-representation and court defence strategy.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, told the Federal High Court in Abuja Thursday he would represent himself. His announcement came after his legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation Kanu Agabi, withdrew from the case.

Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said he stepped down after proceedings resumed, confirming Kanu had retrieved his case file. He added that the withdrawal followed Kanu’s decision to continue the defence personally without the assistance of his legal representatives.

Nnamdi Kanu’s self-representation takes centre stage

Standing in the dock, Kanu confirmed the development before Justice James Omotosho and refused the judge’s offer for legal representation. He told the court he preferred to handle his own defence, beginning what now stands as his formal self-representation.

In his first submission, acting as his own counsel, Kanu challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him on terrorism charges. The Federal Government brought seven counts against him, but he insisted the case lacked merit and should not proceed further.

Kanu, who has been detained since 2021, also filed a motion seeking to call twenty-three witnesses, including political and security figures. He explained that their testimonies would support his claims of innocence and expose alleged irregularities in the prosecution’s evidence.

Kanu seeks more time for defence

In a motion dated October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu requested an extension of his defence timeline. He asked the court to increase the earlier six-day window to ninety days to accommodate all witnesses and preparations properly.

Kanu argued that the extension was necessary because several witnesses hold significant public offices and would require formal summons to appear.

According to The Vanguard, the witness list includes Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and ex-Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai. Others named were Minister of Works Dave Umahi, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and retired General Theophilus Danjuma.

Kanu also wants the court to issue subpoenas to compel their attendance. He said their evidence would be critical to his Nnamdi Kanu self-representation and to proving that he has no case to answer on the terrorism charges levelled against him.