The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, stunned the Federal High Court in Abuja when he announced that he would be defending himself following the withdrawal of his entire legal team.
Lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that he and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the defense team had applied to withdraw from the case, explaining that the defendant had “taken the case back from them.”
Confirming the development, Nnamdi Kanu told the court that he would represent himself for the time being. “I will be representing myself for now,” he said, adding, “that might change later.”
When the presiding judge asked whether he wanted the court to assign a lawyer to him, Kanu declined the offer.
Proceeding to argue orally on his own behalf, the IPOB leader maintained that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try him.
The unexpected development marked a dramatic turn in the long-running trial of the separatist leader, who faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences.
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