Kanu’s Lead Counsel, SANs Quit Defence Mid-Trial

All Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the defence team of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday withdrew from his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu Agabi, former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel, announced the team’s disengagement when the matter was called, informing the court that the defendant had elected to take back control of his case.

Other SANs involved also rose, one after another, to withdraw their appearance.

Kanu, confirming the development, told Justice James Omotosho that he would conduct his defence by himself for now, though the situation might change later. The judge asked whether counsel should be assigned to him, but Kanu declined.

He immediately made an oral address, insisting the court lacked jurisdiction to try him.

The court had on October 16 granted him six consecutive sitting days beginning October 23 to open and close his defence in the accelerated hearing.

Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government.

He had earlier listed former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; Works Minister Dave Umahi; Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai (rtd); former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) and others as proposed witnesses.

Hearing continues.