In a dramatic turn at the Federal High Court on Thursday, Kanu Agabi (SAN), lead counsel to the detained leader of the prescribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, formally withdrew his legal representation from the ongoing trial.
Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that his client had chosen to represent himself in the matter. Following his announcement, all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on the defence team also withdrew from the case.
Confirming the development before the presiding judge, Kanu stated that he would be conducting his own defence, at least for now. When the court offered to assign him a lawyer, he politely declined, insisting on his decision.
Speaking briefly in court, Kanu maintained that the court lacks jurisdiction to try him — a position he has repeatedly emphasized since the commencement of his trial.
The sudden withdrawal of his entire legal team marks a new phase in the long-running legal battle between the IPOB leader and the Federal Government.