By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — The terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took a dramatic turn yesterday as his lead counsel, former Attorney-General of the Federation Kanu Agabi (SAN), announced his withdrawal from the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Agabi informed the court that he and all other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) involved in the matter would no longer be representing the IPOB leader, stating that the defendant had decided to take back the case from them.
Confirming the development, Nnamdi Kanu addressed the court, stating he would be representing himself for the time being, though he noted that the position might change later. Trial Judge Justice James Omotosho asked if the court should assign a lawyer to represent him, but Kanu declined the offer.
Following the withdrawal, Kanu orally addressed the court to open his defense, arguing that the court lacks the jurisdiction to try him on the seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government.
The development comes after Justice Omotosho, on October 16, granted Kanu six consecutive days, starting from October 23, to open and close his defense in line with the accelerated hearing order. Kanu had previously listed high-profile figures as part of his witnesses, including former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd); and a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd).