The terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was unexpectedly adjourned on Thursday after the defendant dismissed his entire team of lawyers.
The case was scheduled for Kanu to open his defence. However, when the proceedings began at the Federal High Court in Abuja, his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that the legal team was withdrawing from the case.
Agabi stated the reason was that “the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that.”
Confirming the development from the dock, Kanu told Justice James Omotosho that he had indeed sacked his lawyers and was ready to conduct his own defence.
After ordering junior lawyers from the former defence team to leave the courtroom, the judge directed Kanu to begin his case. Kanu, however, attempted to argue against the court’s jurisdiction, a move that was overruled by Justice Omotosho.
Following an intervention by one of the former counsels, the court granted an adjournment to allow Kanu time to prepare.
The case has been postponed to Friday, October 24, for Nnamdi Kanu to open his defence.
