IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
The courtroom drama surrounding the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took a new turn on Thursday as his entire legal team, led by senior lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from representing him.
Agabi, appearing before the Federal High Court in Abuja, informed Justice James Omotosho that Kanu had decided to handle his defence personally.
“A number of voices have been defending Nnamdi, and he has decided to conduct his defence by himself. He has the right to do so; we respect that decision and wish him well going forward,” Agabi told journalists outside the courtroom.
Following the withdrawal, Kanu confirmed to the court that he would be representing himself “for now,” adding that he might reconsider later. When Justice Omotosho asked if he would like the court to assign a lawyer, Kanu declined the offer.
Inside the courtroom, he immediately challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him, but the judge overruled his objection and directed him to proceed with his defence.
Agabi announced that alongside him, other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Kanu’s team — Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba, and one other — had all officially withdrawn from the case. The judge subsequently ordered all remaining members of the defence team, except the SANs, to leave the courtroom.
Ikpeazu later intervened, noting that their withdrawal took effect that morning, and asked the court to give Kanu some time to gather his thoughts.
The prosecution did not object, leading Justice Omotosho to adjourn the trial until Friday, October 24, for Kanu to begin his defence.
*Kanu plans to call 23 witnesses, including prominent Nigerians*
In a motion he personally filed earlier in the week, Kanu stated that he was ready to open his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on October 16, 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on October 24, 2025.”
He revealed plans to call 23 witnesses, categorized into two groups — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses.” According to him, the latter group would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among the high-profile figures listed as “compellable witnesses” are former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), ex-Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Also on the list are former Attorney General Abubakar Malami (SAN), former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) boss Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and current Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Kanu told the court that he intends to personally testify, “providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of [his] statements and actions.”
He further requested a 90-day period to conclude his defence, citing the number of witnesses to be called.
He pledged to submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and assured the court that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” adding that it was important “that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
Tension outside court as Kanu’s aides remanded
While Kanu was preparing to take charge of his defence, a separate development unfolded in Abuja, where his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others were remanded by a magistrate court.
The group had reportedly joined a protest against Kanu’s continued trial. Police charged them with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public unrest, in violation of sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The accused — including Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel; Joshua Emmanuel; Wilson Anyalewechi; Okere Kingdom Nnamdi; and several others — were ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.
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