Nnamdi Kanu Defends Self In Court As Lawyers Withdraw From Trial
By Paul Ebi
Kanu told the court that he would be representing himself for now, though that might change later.
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in court on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu Agabi, has applied to withdraw from representing the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stating that the defendant had taken the case back from them.
All the Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the defense team have also withdrawn from the suit, a development Nnamdi Kanu himself confirmed in court.
Kanu told the court that he would be representing himself for now, though that might change later. When the judge asked if he should be assigned a lawyer, he declined the offer.
Defending himself orally, Kanu argued that the court lacks the jurisdiction to try him.
The IPOB leader returned to the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday to open his defence in the suit instituted against him by the Federal Government on alleged terrorism. The case is presided by Justice James Omotosho.
Kanu had listed former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), and others as part of his witnesses.
